Prosecutors allege a 58-year-old threw Molotov cocktails at three vehicles at three different locations last weekend, broadening the charges against the man who was already accused of firebombing a car Sunday on a crowded Belmont Shore street.
The additional allegations were revealed in a court filing this week against the defendant, identified as Fredrick Aaron Merritt.
“Defendant is accused of throwing incendiary devices at three vehicles at three locations over a two-day span,” the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said.
Authorities previously said police arrested Merritt shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday near the intersection of Second Street and Santa Ana Avenue. Around the same time, firefighters responded to reports of a vehicle on fire on Second Street near St. Joseph Avenue, according to the Long Beach Fire Department.
Video posted online shows bystanders dousing the flames on the hood of a blue Mazda.
Prosecutors alleged that Merritt also threw an incendiary device at a vehicle near the intersection of Pomona Avenue and Second Street on Sunday, about eight blocks away from the other attack.
The location of the third attack — which court papers said happened on Saturday — was not disclosed. Authorities have not publicly discussed a motive in any of the crimes.
On Tuesday, Merritt pleaded not guilty to eight felony charges stemming from the incidents.
Charges include assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of arson, one count of possession of flammable material, one count of possession of a destructive device and one count of use of a destructive device and explosive to destroy property.
If convicted of all charges, he could face up to 41 years in state prison, according to prosecutors.
No injuries were reported.
Merritt was being held in lieu of $2.5 million bail. He was due back in court on April 15.
Merritt has convictions dating back to 1990, according to prosecutors. His most recent prison sentence came in Norwalk in 2007, when he pleaded no contest to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 16 months in state prison.