Hermosa Beach Police arrested a young couple for suspicion of arson Dec. 28 after they allegedly threw a firebomb through the front door of a home on Gould Avenue on Christmas night. The firebomb started a blaze, causing extensive damage to the bottom floor.

Following a formal investigation, detectives arrested Brandi Nason, 20, of Manhattan Beach and her boyfriend Marshal Penna, 24, of Citrus Heights for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail (firebomb) into the glass front door of the home of Nason’s former stepmother around 9 p.m. on Christmas.

“Detectives learned that Nason was angry with her former stepmother for various reasons including the fact that her father was paying alimony to his ex-wife,” said Press Information Officer Sgt. Paul Wolcott. “Detectives also learned that she felt her Christmas gift from her former stepmother was inadequate. According to detectives, her total motivation was revenge. Nason showed no remorse during the interviews with detectives.”

The victim watched as the firebomb came crashing through her home and ignited a fire that spread across the wooden floor. The victim immediately called 911, and she and another occupant then vacated the home.

Hermosa Beach firefighters contained the blaze to the bottom level of the home, which caused an estimated $200,000 in damages.

Hermosa Beach Arson Investigator Daryl Powers, Hermosa Beach Police Detective Robert Higgins and Detective Sgt. Steve Endom initiated an investigation and worked through the weekend, collecting evidence at the scene.

Following up on a lead, detectives commenced with surveillance on the young couple and later arrested them. Police obtained a search warrant for the car used in the crime, which was Nason’s, and discovered additional evidence that tied the two suspects to the arson, along with drug paraphernalia most likely used in conjunction with methamphetamine.

“Detectives learned that Nason and Penna both plotted to firebomb the home. Together they drove to a gas station and purchased gasoline for the firebomb,” said Wolcott. “They then drove to the Gould Avenue home in Nason’s car. Penna then lit the wick of the firebomb and threw it through the glass front door.”

Nason is currently in custody at the Hermosa Beach Jail with bail set at $250,000, and appeared in court on her arraignment Tuesday in the Torrance Superior Courthouse where Judge William Hollingsworth presided over the proceeding and where Nason pleaded not guilty to the charge of arson.

Police transported Penna, who also appeared in court Tuesday and also pleaded not guilty to the charge of arson with a bail set for the same amount, to the Los Angeles County Jail due to unspecified medical problems.

According to Wolcott, the couple could face up to five years in prison if convicted of the charge of arson.