LAPD’s Topanga Division firebombed by suspect using Molotov cocktails

Image of arson attack suspect running after throwing Molotov cocktail - YouTube screenshot (courtesy of Snapped Video)

No war on police? Man arrested after firebombing Los Angeles Police Department building while officers were inside

Posted by: | |Categories Caught on Camera, Featured, Investigations
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CANOGA PARK, CA – A suspect is reportedly in custody following the firebombing of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Topanga Division building that occurred during the early morning hours of May 9th.

Video from the incident has been released, where the suspect can be seen throwing what police say was a Molotov cocktail against the station doors, resulting in an explosive spread of flames.

At approximately 12:55 a.m. on May 9th, a male suspect approached the station doors of the LAPD’s Topanga division and through a Molotov cocktail at the station’s front window.

Reportedly multiple officers witnessed this incident and pursued the suspect. Video from the incident shows the officers as they exit the station doors after the incendiary device is thrown at the building’s facade.

A foot pursuit eventually resulted in the suspect being apprehended by authorities.

Despite the alarming explosion of the incendiary device caught on camera, local reports note that no officers were hurt during the incident.

The LAPD has identified the suspect as 24-year-old Jonathan Rosin, a local from Los Angeles.

Limited details have been revealed about the suspect from authorities. No possible motive has been brought forth by officials as of this writing.

A records search performed by us here at Law Enforcement Today found that the suspect’s last reported address was at an apartment complex located off of the 7400 block of Alabama Avenue, less than two miles from the Topanga Division’s building.

Rosin was reportedly booked under charges of igniting an explosive and an unspecified misdemeanor warrant. Bail for the suspect has been set at $501,000 for the charges.

This is a developing story. 

Please follow Law Enforcement Today as we continue to gather further insight into this investigation.

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Arson attacks targeting police building have been on the rise, with Portland having played host to such an incident back in April. 

Here’s that previous report regarding the Portland Police Union Headquarters building being targeted in an arson attack. 

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PORTLAND, OR – Police declared a riot at Union Headquarters in North Portland after the building was set ablaze by far-left Antifa and Black Lives Matter arsonists on Tuesday night. A group of about 100 people lit fires, blocked traffic, and shot off fireworks.

The police had been planning for another night of violence after learning protest organizers were setting up a “direct action” event at North Portland’s Kenton Park for 9 p.m. on Tuesday. Police had declared a riot on Monday night at the Penumbra Kelly building.

According to the police, past “direct action events” have led to arson violence, riots, and “wanton destruction of public and private property” in a city that has seen continued violence since the May 2020 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

A flyer that circulated for the Tuesday event said demonstrators were protesting the police killing of Daunte Wright in Minnesota on Sunday night. The 20-year-old was shot and killed during a traffic stop when officer Kim Potter apparently meant to fire her Taser, but accidentally drew her firearm instead. She fired one shot killing Wright.

The demonstrators followed the expected pattern after gathering at Kenton Park. About 9:40 p.m., the group begin marching toward the Portland Police Bureau Association building on North Lombard Street.

The demonstrators blocked traffic and began shooting fireworks off. Police tweeted that marchers were blocking traffic and advised city travelers to find alternative routes. Police repeatedly ordered the crowd to clear the streets without success.

Once the group reached the PPB building, a demonstrator set a garbage can on fire and placed it next to the building. Another person then used an unknown accelerant on the wooden door frame causing it to catch fire.

Police declared a riot based on the danger posed by the fire and the arson activity. Police said the fire was a serious threat to the neighborhood.

The police building was not occupied at the time the fire was set, but police said several homes in the area were.

Some residents were so concerned for the safety of their homes, they used garden hoses to fight the fire until firefighters arrived.

Portland Fire and Rescue was called to the scene and the fire was extinguished, but not before causing substantial damage to the front of the building.

One arsonist was arrested at the scene, a 19-year-old Alma Raven-Guido, who was charged with arson II.

Police said the crowd dispersed shortly after the arrest was made, and that police did not have to use any mutations or tear gas.

The violence followed Monday’s riot, when people lit fires, threw rocks, and shot ball bearings at officers in what officers called a “planned, coordinated attack.”

Police have reported that the riots Monday took needed resources away from lower priority calls in the city, and Tuesday’s rioting likely did the same.

PPB spokesperson Capt. Tina Jones said the reassignment of officers to meet the protesters’ threat likely impacted emergency response times in other parts of the city.

Violence also flared almost 200 miles away in Seattle on Tuesday night. At least three people were arrested while protesting the death of Daunte Wright.

A group of demonstrators gathered outside the Seattle Police Department’s West Precinct for what they labeled “a vigil.”

On Twitter, Seattle police said they gave several notices to the group to remain peaceful and to not damage property. The police said that during the “vigil,” two people were arrested for graffiti and one person was arrested for obstruction of law enforcement.

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About The Author

Gregory Hoyt is an I.T. Marketing and Sales professional based out in Sierra Vista, Arizona. While being a staunch and outspoken advocate of law enforcement and first responders, Gregory Hoyt also has the experience of having spent nearly 5 years in prison as well. Since then, he's used his unique perspective to offer support and commentary about the criminal justice system. When not working or combating bad ideas, Hoyt also leisurely studies economics, history, and law.

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