Part-time deputy who nabs arson suspect hailed as hero
By the
CNN Wire Staff
Updated 7:33 AM EST, Tue January 3, 2012
L.A. mayor: Arson suspect held, no bail.
Los Angeles (CNN) -- A reserve sheriff's deputy who draws a paltry salary of $1 a year is being hailed as a hero for bringing to an end what authorities are calling one of the worst arson sprees in Los Angeles history.
Shervin Lalezary, an Iranian-born lawyer who moonlights as a deputy, was among hundreds of law enforcement officers who spent the last four days looking for the person accused of setting a rash of car and building fires across the city.
Early Monday, Lalezary pulled over a van in Hollywood driven by a man who resembled a person seen in a surveillance video near the scene of one fire. With the help of backup officers, he then arrested the driver, Harry Burkhart.
"I'll give him a raise of another dollar a year," Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca joked Monday evening.
"This is one of the most significant arrests anyone can make -- regular or reserve -- in the history of law enforcement, " Baca added. "And this will follow him for the rest of his life."
Authorities charged Burkhart, 24, with one count of arson of an inhabited dwelling. He will likely face additional charges as the investigation moves forward, said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Burkhart remains in jail without bail until a scheduled court appearance Wednesday morning.
"I can tell you this is a lot more exciting than my day job," Lalezary said, after the arrest.
Arson investigators counted 52 fires, most starting in parked cars, since Friday morning, but none since the suspect was detained at 3 a.m. Monday, according to officials.
No one was hurt, but property damage from the fires will likely reach $3 million, said Los Angeles Fire Chief Brian Cummings. Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said officials believe -- and hope -- the fires were set by one person. But they will proceed as though others may be involved until they know for sure, Beck said.
"I feel very good that we've got the right guy. (The suspect) had the right stuff in his van, and we are confident in the arrest," Beck said. Burkhart is believed to be a foreign national from Germany. Beck did not disclose a possible motive for the fires.
Multiple CNN affiliates reported the alleged spree could have stemmed from a deportation battle between the suspect and immigration officials involving Burkhart's mother.
CNN affiliate KABC reported that Burkhart's mother, Dorothy, could be deported after a hearing last week in Los Angeles County. Following his arrest, Burkhart told investigators, "I hate America," KABC said.
He and his mother live in a Hollywood apartment building, the station said. Neighbor Galina Larimoda told KABC through a Russian translator that Burkhart knocked on her door Sunday and seemed angry and not "completely normal."
Lalezary appeared at a post-arrest news conference with his mother and his brothers. One is a doctor; the other a law student who is also a reserve deputy. The younger Lalezary said he now has "big shoes to fill."
"I'll continue to strive to be as good of a brother and deputy as he is," said Shawn Lalezary.
For his part, Lalezary was quick to dole credit to his fellow law enforcement officers.
"Thank you for coming in to work every day full-time, putting your lives on the line every day full-time,"he said. "I look forward to coming back for my next shift with you guys."