Posted on 01/02/2012 11:19:59 AM PST by dragnet2
LAPD officers swarmed and handcuffed what they described as a "person of interest" in the Los Angeles arsonist spree that has left thousands of residents scared out of their wits for days.
Fire officials say "it is too early to speculate" if this is the person responsible for the fires.
Police have already released surveillance video showing the alleged suspect -- a ponytailed Steven Seagal lookalike (below). As you can see in our video ... the man in custody sports a ponytail
Cops previously said 39 fires could be linked to the recent rash of arsons ... and another 11 were reportedly set last night.
It's not 100% clear from the footage -- but several witnesses confirm what appears to be a creepy smile on the man's face as he sat in the back of the squad car (below).
9:32 AM PT: Riding in an equestrian unit this morning at the Rose Parade, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said, "We are we are very confident we found our man."
8:13 AM PT: Police say fire-starting materials were found in the man's van, which displayed Canadian license plates. According to reports, the materials include charcoal.
0102_thevan_tmz_wm2 8:00 AM PT: There are reports the man may be a German national, who is angry that his mother is being deported from the US. An immigration agent helped identify him.
Well, it’s too late for that in regards to this particular case.
BTW, not all bad guys are what would be considered real intelligent. A few are, but not all.
The suspect is a native of Germany who may have been in dispute with federal immigration officials, sources said.
That is an odd looking German. Looks like he has a little Asian mixed in (as the Brits call them). Interesting to discover the ethnicity of his parents. Perhaps a little Turkish in the mix ? Glad to read they caught him. Hard to believe anyone identified him from that poor quality video released to the public.
If this is a good suspect, he's stooopid.
There were hundreds looking for this guy based on description and one of the vehicle...There is video everywhere in and surrounding his crime scenes. It wouldn't take much reviewing the videos to see the same vehicle coming or going to and from these scenes
When stopped this morning, no doubt the vehicle description played a role in his apprehension. Then they found items associated with arson in the vehicle.
You are correct. But I have heard on multiple occasions the police make the absurd claim that the “person of interest” wasn’t a suspect and they just wanted to talk to them.
Anther thing that gets my goat is the “Drug Task Force” that sit along the interstate highways and stop people for traffic violations and then attempt to intimidate the drivers into giving them permission to search their vehicles.
Thank you Vel very much for the ping.
It will be interesting to know the ID of this guy and what his background/profile is.
Don't ask me, I only live here and Vote for the guys running against the Libtard Legislators who dream this crap up.
Thought the reason they knew the vehicle was because someone involved with his mothers deportation case recognized him on the video ? At least that is what I read.
Suspects name is Harry Burkheart. (sp)
Now Sheriff Lee Baca up, and thanking everyone in government all over again....amazing...Every politician within 20 miles is waiting to speak, wanting some face time.
Suspect: Harry Burkhart, a Hollywood area resident
According to reports.
Found this on an search from news.lalate.com
To date, LAFD has been handling two different arson cases. They confirmed that a first round of fires was set by one person; they believe that suspect is 22-year-old Samuel Arrington of Sunland.
A second round of fifty-five fires were set by a separate person, LAFD tells news. Investigators claim A total of 55 fires of concern have broke out in the Los Angeles area over the last four days from 12/30/11 to 01/02/12. Forty-five fires have erupted in the Los Angeles area, nine in West Hollywood, and one in Burbank.
I believe Arrington was lighting trashcan fires outside of a greedymart, and then tried to light some diesel/gas tanks on fire when he was chased down and caught. If fact, he set trash cans ablaze along a five-block stretch of Sunset Boulevard. He was hard not to miss. I believe Arrington was a typical copycat nutcase, who got caught up in all the hub bub, and just couldn't help himself.
Thank you dragnet2.
Looks like he’s a German, yet his papers are via Chechnya.....interesting.
http://m.ctv.ca/topstories/20120103/los-angeles-arson-spree-arrest-follow-120103.html
It's disgusting beyond belief as you're forced to press 1 or 2 for English, as the government shoves these foreign cultures right down our throats.
I'll bet a schnitzel he's muslim.
Yes, and it looks like new info over at TMZ about other people casing the same cars the perp ignited.
This may be bigger.
IMO, Dragnet, this one is interesting. It peaked my interest because of what was not being reported by the media.
The information is trickling out via anonymous sources though. Case in point, we now learn the mother was the subject of a provisional arrest request by Germany.
http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/5292bee9e18146ea8815f8bca59a847e/US—Los-Angeles-Arson/
Bunnyslippers, I agree, there’s more to come.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.