UPDATE: 21 Arson Fires Set in Rapid Succession
 

California officials post $60,000 reward after 21-fire arson spree

By the CNN Wire Staff
Updated 2:59 AM EST, Sat December 31, 2011


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Officials are offering a $60,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in a Friday morning arson spree in the Hollywood.


Los Angeles (CNN) -- Twenty-one fires, set in rapid succession in the Hollywood area, have prompted authorities in California to post a $60,000 reward in what they say is one of the worst arson sprees in recent memory.

In almost every case, the fires were started on parked cars within a span of about five hours early Friday morning, officials said. Some of the fires spread to nearby buildings.

Among the homes damaged was one that was once occupied by Doors frontman Jim Morrison. The street where the house sits -- Rothdell Trail -- was the inspiration for the Doors song, "Love Street."

Seventeen fires were set in Hollywood; four others in West Hollywood -- all of them within a 2-square mile area. Fire officials said they were relieved no one was hurt, although a firefighter suffered a non-life threatening injury.

"If you're setting something alight when people are going to bed, you obviously don't expect them to wake up," resident Mark Todd told CNN affiliate KTLA. "It sort of goes past arson to attempted murder."

The Hollywood area is home to about 20,000 people per square mile, said Los Angeles fire spokesman Erik Scott. He also said the fires caused $350,000 in property damage -- a "conservative estimate."

County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky told reporters Friday afternoon that authorities are "dead serious about trying to apprehend the individual or individuals who are responsible for this."

"We want to get these SOBs before they hurt somebody," he said. Authorities deployed extra police officers were deployed after sundown.

The Los Angeles fire department's arson unit called in additional investigators to review surveillance footage and pore through the ashes.

"While our police officers and our fire departments are working on high alert in coming days, everyone must remain vigilant," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

By early Saturday morning, authorities had not made an arrest.

re: UPDATE: 21 Arson Fires Set in Rapid Succession
 

Part-time deputy who nabs arson suspect hailed as hero

By the CNN Wire Staff
Updated 7:33 AM EST, Tue January 3, 2012

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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."

Re: UPDATE: 21 Arson Fires Set in Rapid Succession
 

Great stuff, so many of these arsonists are never caught, nutheads, dont care whose home and property they destroy and even put so many lives at risk

Thanks Freak :thumbs: