Tarzana Man Charged with Selling Homemade Fireworks, Forcing Evacuation of Valley Neighborhood

Tarzana, CA -- A Tarzana man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly trying to sell a cache of homemade fireworks, forcing the closure of a valley gas station where he attempted to sell his wares.

Shant Aslanian, 21, of Tarzana, appeared in court Wednesday, pleading not guilty to one felony count each of possession of a destructive device involving a bomb of unknown caliber, possession of ingredients to make a destructive device and sale or transportation of a destructive device.

According to police, Aslanian posted an ad online, looking for buyers of illegal fireworks. He was arrested Sunday after allegedly trying to meet with a buyer at a gas station at Roxford Street and the Golden State (5) Freeway. His truckload of fireworks forced the closure of the Roxford Street off-ramp as well as the evacuation of the gas station and neighboring businesses.

The truck contained "a large quantity of illegal fireworks," Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
The evacuation orders were lifted after the Los Angeles Police Department's bomb squad detonated the illegal fireworks just before 7 p.m. Sunday.

Aslanian, who has remained jailed in lieu of $500,000 bail since his arrest Sunday afternoon, faces four years in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

He is due back in a San Fernando courtroom Aug. 10.

City News Service contributed to this report.