Posted on 12/13/2007 3:58:01 PM PST by BurbankKarl
Los Angeles County sheriff's arson investigators said today that they were making a series of arrests in connection with a wind-driven brush fire that destroyed dozens of homes Thanksgiving weekend as it swept through Corral Canyon in Malibu.
The suspects range in age from 18 to 27, said sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore. He said investigators would disclose the identities of the men at a news conference this afternoon at the Sheriff's Department bureau in Monterey Park.
Authorities said the suspects were having an illegal late-night campfire near a cave when the blaze broke out. Investigators found evidence such as alcohol containers, food wrappers and bundled fire logs, Whitmore said. The next step was finding where the items came from.
"Investigators began checking local businesses for any information regarding the purchase of these items," Whitmore said. They quickly got their break at a nearby supermarket.
"They checked store receipts at a Ralphs market in Malibu and found one revealed a possible purchase of the items in question," Whitmore said. "With probable cause, they then got a search warrant allowing investigators to retrieve information from the debit card which authorities believe was used to purchase the items."
That information led them to a witness," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Suspect they're illegal aliens...
They were worshipping the Moon.
didn’t want to suggest —> terrorists... :o) but you’re right why would they be Mexicans...
ANd/or they haven't all been picked up yet... some outside jurisdiction.
Arrested in the sweep: Brian Allen Anderson, 22, William Thomas Coppock, 23, Brian David Franks, 27, all of Los Angeles; as well as Eric Matthew Ullman, 18, and Dean Allen Lavorante, 19, both of Culver City, said sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore.
I suspect that they're part of the "Earth First" movement.
No girls?
The cave is a well-known party spot for teens and college kids from all over the area. My own kid was there on one occasion. It should’ve been shut down a long time ago.
Just a bunch of partying ne’er do wells.
Interesting how easily the authorities were able to get access to store receipts, establish probable cause, and get the financial transaction information they needed to identify these people.
I’m glad they were caught but it makes me think about how we’re giving away our privacy every time we shop, in exchange for convenience. I’m a little surprised and/or offended when a clerk I don’t know addresses me by my first name (”Thanks for shopping at ******, Honcho!”) based on what they see from my debit card purchase.
Just kids partying.
Nothing we never did as kids...
except the burning of thousands of acres
If they’d been Boy Scouts in their youth, partying or not, this wouldn’t have happened
stupid irresponsible accident
yeah. I burned down a billion dollars in housing.
prison time
Arrested in the sweep: Brian Allen Anderson, 22, William Thomas Coppock, 23, Brian David Franks, 27, all of Los Angeles; as well as Eric Matthew Ullman, 18, and Dean Allen Lavorante, 19, both of Culver City, said sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore.
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