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piasa wrote: "Picking him up after midnight is a nice stalinistic touch, very theatrical."

Different local media outlets reported the Deputies were out there most of the day, along with the man's attorneys. Leaving at midnight is strange, yet not as strange if his and the whole neighborhood's safety were under consideration.

On the other hand, you might be right. The late night arrest may have been a Stalinist-like disappearance. However there are some more likely reasons beginning with:

1. This weekend is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year which is celebrated by Los Angeles' community of observant Jews. If enraged local Muslims wanted to make a public demonstration, they might prefer doing so on a Jewish high Holy day, during daylight hours when news outlets are out and about.

2. Los Angeles has a large Coptic Christian community which might also be feeling some pressure themselves.

3. Los Angeles is home to too many paparazzi who always ignore the safety of others, in favor of getting the best video, still photographs and sound bytes.

4. There is a large community of Muslims here.

A daylight arrest here would lend itself to more drama and unfortunately, more risk for the man, his family, his neighbors and anyone else who might wander into the neighborhood.