Police seek info on serial arsonists

3 arsons reported at Emerald Center shopping plaza since 2011

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Hollywood police believe a duo of serial arsonists are preying on businesses inside the Emerald Center shopping plaza at 5650 Stirling Road.

"From 2011 to 2013, we had three different, separate arsons and it appears to be by the same two subjects," said Lt. Osvaldo Perez.

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On Sept. 29, a fire charred the inside of Pita Grill and damaged the Allure Salon next door, which Ariel Livaev has run for five years.

"It has affected my business really bad and we needed to close half of the shop," he said.

Livaev has insurance but is waiting for the claim to be paid.

"It's a small business. One bad month, two bad months, you can go out of business," he said.

Since the attack, Livaev has installed new security equipment and surveillance cameras. All the arsons have happened overnight when the businesses were closed.

Livaev noted another disturbing coincidence.

"Most of the stores here are owned by Jewish people," he said.

Livaev said he hopes the arsonists aren't driven by hate.

Anyone with information on the arsonists is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.