The mystery over the who and why of the demolition of Johnie's Broiler in Downey now has a face to go with the madness. Northridge resident and Googie hater, Ardas Yanik, has been taken into custody for his role in the illegal bulldozing of the famous local landmark. Via the Press-Telegram:
Five misdemeanor criminal charges were filed against Northridge resident Ardas Yanik, all stemming from the Jan. 7 razing of the 90,000-square-foot parcel of land on 447 Firestone Blvd., said city prosecutor James Eckart.
...
According to Eckart, Yanik had entered into a private leasing agreement with Smyrniotis and was subletting the property to Car Outlet Inc., a used-car dealership that began operating in 2002. It's unclear if Yanik was behind the wheel of the bulldozer, but it is clear that he planned to redevelop the property, leading us, in our finest Scooby Doo moment, to declare Mr. Yanik responsible for the demolition of Johnie's Broiler. Case closed.
· Charges filed in razing of Johnie's [Press-Telegram via Lotta Living]
· Googie Architecture Gets Wrecktified [Curbed LA]