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Arnold To Arsonists: 'I Would Not Sleep Soundly'
KNBC ^ | October 27, 2007 | staff

Posted on 10/27/2007 3:54:44 PM PDT by Baladas

IRVINE, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Saturday pledged to ruthlessly hunt down anyone suspected of setting a fast-moving blaze that has burned 27,600-acres in Santiago, and promised swift punishment for scam artists and looters.

Authorities believe at least two of the wildfires have suspicious origins and are the result of arson.

"If I were one of those people who started the fires I would not sleep soundly," Schwarzenegger said. "We're right behind you -- turn yourself in."

"We know in Orange County this was arson," said Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona. "This was not some random act that took place nor was the fire started by a natural event."

Carona said more than 1,000 tips had already been phoned in from the public.

The total reward now being offered for information in the case is $250,000.

Earlier this week, the governor announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for setting the Santiago fire. In addition, the FBI and ATF each contributed $50,000 and KFI Radio added $10,000.

A white Ford F-150 pickup with chrome running boards has been reported in the area at the time during the early-morning hours of 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Authorities are asking anyone who may have seen the pickup or the driver to call the Orange County Fire Authority Arson Tip Line at 1-800-540-8282.

The governor issued the warning during a news conference Saturday in Irvine Park, a few miles west of the fire lines.

Schwarzenegger said the disaster had brought out the best in Californians with neighbors helping neighbors but also brought out scam artists who prey on victims. He warned looters and insurance fraud scammers against taking advantage of wildfire victims and pledged harsh punishment for those who do.

"We are also going after the scam artists, price gougers, and shady contractors and anyone else going after anyone who preys on people hurt by these fires," he said. "We are as serious about protecting people from cheats and criminals as we are about protecting them from fire."

"If anyone tries to exploit this tragedy I will make sure you will pay for rest of your life," added Schwarzenegger. "We will arrest them and we will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law."

San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said law enforcement officials there will "show no mercy" to looters and scam artists. Authorities have so far arrested four people for looting and taken steps to screen evacuees lodging at Qualcomm Stadium.

"In Qualcomm Stadium we had people that were selling the products being donated to victims," said Dumanis, adding that about 1,000 people "bolted" out the stadium when officials announced they were checking IDs.

"People have seen enough, they have anxiety, they have been displaced, they have lost everything they once had," she said. "We will not tolerate anyone who would try and take advantage of people who are down and out."

Orange County deputies have not seen any looters, Carona said, and the department has hundreds of deputies patrolling evacuated areas and escorting residents with lawful needs.

Consumers who want to report scams, insurance fraud or need help finding a licensed contractor can call the state's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-952-5210. The hotline will be open seven days a week.

It is a felony in the state of California for unlicensed contractors to work in a disaster area, the governor reminded. If caught and convicted, they face up to 60 months in prison and a $10,000 in fines.

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said his agency had declared an insurance emergency so that out-of-state appraisers could help expedite insurance claims so victims can be paid as quickly as possible. An insurance fraud task force has also been created, with 100 fraud investigators on the ground working with local law enforcement.

"Unfortunately, it's like clockwork for every natural disaster scam artists from all over the state show up to take advantage of victims," he said.

Consumers are encouraged to report fraud at the Insurance Fraud Hotline at 1-800-927-HELP


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: arnold; arson; prosection; schwarzenegger; wildfire; wildfires
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Hunt 'em down like the dogs they are, AHHHHHnold!

Shades of the old "Terminator". SB 777 was a disaster, but Ahhhhnold's handling the wildfire situation almost perfectly - and he's being amusing as well.

1 posted on 10/27/2007 3:54:46 PM PDT by Baladas
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To: Baladas
In the Eyes of da Goo-Binator
The unsuspecting stranger
Had better know the truth of wrong from right

Cause the eyes of da Goo-Binator are upon you
Anything you do he's gonna see
So when you're in Kali-For-Knee-Ya look behind you
Cause that's where da Goo-Binator’s gonna be!

2 posted on 10/27/2007 4:01:35 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: Baladas

Sounds like he is setting the stage for another movie, with him as the star of course.


3 posted on 10/27/2007 4:03:47 PM PDT by tips up
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To: Baladas
"If I were one of those people who started the fires I would not sleep soundly," Schwarzenegger said. "We're right behind you -- turn yourself in."

LOL. Yeah, right. They are either already back in mexico or they are thinking, "What the worse they can do? Put me in jail?"

Unless Arnie's planning to torture them for weeks on end what can California do to get even with them?

4 posted on 10/27/2007 4:04:49 PM PDT by raybbr (You think it's bad now - wait till the anchor babies start to vote.)
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To: Baladas

5 posted on 10/27/2007 4:06:02 PM PDT by BGHater (Bread and Circuses)
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To: raybbr

With billions in fire related damages and a number of people killed by the fires, there’s no just punishment other than making sure the perp never gets a chance to do it again. And the death penalty couldn’t come fast enough for this one.


6 posted on 10/27/2007 4:07:30 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (We yen to be numba one. We find Crintons to be vewy good people. Worth every penny.)
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To: Baladas

I doubt that it’s the first time they’ve done it and got away with it. The are probably thinking, “Yeah, right, Arnold.”


7 posted on 10/27/2007 4:10:48 PM PDT by Brilliant
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To: Baladas

Ummmmm, did you know Arnold’s one of us? Might want to use your great wit to go after Hillary...


8 posted on 10/27/2007 4:12:11 PM PDT by GOPJ (When it makes you mad -- "ping & grrrr" -- Freeper:pandoraou812)
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To: Baladas

You illegal immigrants can sleep soundly though, maybe the government can buy you some extra blankets. There is no amount of billions you can steal from CA taxpayers before I get upset, I’m crazy-rich you know.

I have come to your country, pillaged your women, taken a Kennedy as my prize and now rul CALl - EE - FOR - KNEE - YA.


9 posted on 10/27/2007 4:12:45 PM PDT by word_warrior_bob (You can now see my amazing doggie and new puppy on my homepage!! Come say hello to Jake & Sonny)
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To: Baladas

“Come with me if you want to live.”


10 posted on 10/27/2007 4:13:27 PM PDT by toddlintown (Five bullets and Lennon goes down. Yet not one hit Yoko. Discuss.)
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To: GOPJ

“Ummmmm, did you know Arnold’s one of us?”

You mean a RINO?


11 posted on 10/27/2007 4:15:29 PM PDT by toddlintown (Five bullets and Lennon goes down. Yet not one hit Yoko. Discuss.)
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To: Brilliant

He certainly got away with it whether he gets jailed or not. He should spend 600 years breaking rocks for the damage done to So Cal, but the most they will get from him is nice lethal injection or life in prison 20 to 30 years at the most. These guys usually win no matter what.


12 posted on 10/27/2007 4:17:52 PM PDT by Goreknowshowtocheat
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To: tips up; calcowgirl
And he'll make it all on borrowed money to be paid back with inflated/devalued US monopoly money by that time.

Butt, he has more of a flair for the mellodramatic than he does for being a good Goobinator, or even a good Repellican, for that matter... Phhhhhhhhhhhhhht!!!

Thank Goodness he's at least not charging us taxpayers a Goobinator's salary!!!

13 posted on 10/27/2007 4:18:10 PM PDT by SierraWasp (Stop the gutless forclosing on righteous Reaganesque conservatives in the GOP!!!)
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To: Baladas
"...and he's being amusing as well."

Are you serious? Absurd is the word!!!

14 posted on 10/27/2007 4:21:23 PM PDT by SierraWasp (Stop the gutless forclosing on righteous Reaganesque conservatives in the GOP!!!)
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To: Goreknowshowtocheat

your to nice. I say tie the bastards that did this to trees and blow torch them ‘till well done.


15 posted on 10/27/2007 4:22:23 PM PDT by bobby.223
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To: Baladas
Don't go to bed with a price on your head!
16 posted on 10/27/2007 4:28:17 PM PDT by UnklGene
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To: SierraWasp

Okay. Absurdly amusing or amusingly absurd, then. All the tough talk sound like he’s back on the set, not just some RINO married to a Kennedy.


17 posted on 10/27/2007 4:28:50 PM PDT by Baladas
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To: Baladas; SierraWasp
Ahhhhnold's handling the wildfire situation almost perfectly

Yep. And if you don't think so, he'll issue a report that says so!

"Of course, after this, we're going to go and analyze everything
- how perfect of a job we have done," the governor said.
[quote from yesterday--AP]
Regardless, he did a good job at today's press conference.
18 posted on 10/27/2007 4:30:11 PM PDT by calcowgirl ("Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P. J. O'Rourke)
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To: BGHater

l.o.l.

Heeeahh me now, buhleeve me laydah!

19 posted on 10/27/2007 4:36:36 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand (keep the heat on the hillary.)
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To: Baladas

If I was Governor I would call a special session of the legislature. Purpose: pass a bill making these types of arsons capital murder level crimes—attempted mass murder. Pre-meditated.

Cuz that is what it is. Let the democrat legislators explain otherwise; why such a perp should ever be released, or for that matter keep on breathing.


20 posted on 10/27/2007 4:44:24 PM PDT by truth_seeker
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