A federal jury convicted a San Diego woman for torching a local automotive parts business in a desperate attempt to hide the embezzlement of over $700,000, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Carey Alice Hernandez, once a bookkeeper for Off Road Warehouse, faced the heat after being found guilty on charges including malicious destruction of a building by means of fire, witness tampering, and making false statements.
Hernandez's scheme unraveled after the company's new owner initiated an audit, discovering a gaping hole in the accounts dating from January 2015 to March 2019, coinciding with trial evidence presented that linked Hernandez to the fiery scene through surveillance footage the defendant seen driving a dark-rimmed SUV to the location, and back to her residence shortly after the blaze engulfed the warehouse. The day after Hernandez's DIY demolition, she tried to throw off colleagues with misleading texts regarding the color of her SUV's wheel rims. After learning that law enforcement was on the lookout for a vehicle matching her car's description, Hernandez went so far as to tell investigating ATF agents a fabricated story about her rims, blatantly disregarding the video evidence.
"This defendant used arson, tampering with witnesses, and deceit to put the community in danger, but the jury held her accountable," U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath said in a statement. ATF Los Angeles Field Division Special Agent in Charge Chris Bombardiere, passionate for community safety, emphasized the non-victimless nature of arson crimes, elaborating on the devastating effects on businesses and their employees' livelihoods.
The investigation, a collaborative effort by the ATF's National Response Team and San Diego's Metro Arson Strike Team, culminated in a verdict that could see Hernandez facing a hefty prison term and fines. She is scheduled to be sentenced on July 12. If the court swings the gavel as hard as the jury's verdict.
