POLICE have arrested a man in connection with dozens of suspected arson fires that have destroyed parked cars, scorched buildings and rattled Los Angeles residents over the New Year's weekend.
A German man was arrested on Monday in connection with dozens of suspected arson attacks that destroyed parked cars, scorched buildings and rattled much of Los Angeles over the New Year's weekend.
Harry Burkhart, 24, from Frankfurt was booked for investigation of arson of an inhabited dwelling and was being held without bail. Authorities said they didn't know how long the German national has been in the United States.
Burkhart was arrested earlier in the day because he resembled a "person of interest" captured on surveillance video. He was stopped by a reserve sheriff's deputy in a van being sought by arson investigators, who did not rule out the possibility that others may be involved.
Most of the fires began in cars, though authorities have not said how they were started. Investigators say they are not providing any immediate details because doing so may jeopardise their legal case.
The onslaught of intentionally lit fires has left residents of the Los Angeles area on edge in recent days.
Hundreds of investigators, police officers and firefighters have been dealing with the fires. Police conducted extra patrols through the weekend, and helicopters were on constant lookout for new fires.
On Monday morning, investigators said they were still piecing together the sequence of the blazes, examining more than 100 potential clues and interviewing witnesses.
Police urged residents to check their cars for any signs of tampering and suggested that people take simple precautions such as locking their vehicles and keeping garage and carport lights on at night.
Despite the arrest on Monday, authorities are continuing to urge vigilance.
"We're not resting, and we're not stopping" the extra patrols, Police Commander Andrew Smith said. "If you have lights in your carport area, keep them on tonight."
Some other deliberately set fires were reported on Thursday in Hollywood, and two people were arrested. But police said on Monday that those suspects were not connected with the 52 other blazes.
A German man was arrested on Monday in connection with dozens of suspected arson attacks that destroyed parked cars, scorched buildings and rattled much of Los Angeles over the New Year's weekend.
Harry Burkhart, 24, from Frankfurt was booked for investigation of arson of an inhabited dwelling and was being held without bail. Authorities said they didn't know how long the German national has been in the United States.
Burkhart was arrested earlier in the day because he resembled a "person of interest" captured on surveillance video. He was stopped by a reserve sheriff's deputy in a van being sought by arson investigators, who did not rule out the possibility that others may be involved.
Most of the fires began in cars, though authorities have not said how they were started. Investigators say they are not providing any immediate details because doing so may jeopardise their legal case.
The onslaught of intentionally lit fires has left residents of the Los Angeles area on edge in recent days.
Hundreds of investigators, police officers and firefighters have been dealing with the fires. Police conducted extra patrols through the weekend, and helicopters were on constant lookout for new fires.
On Monday morning, investigators said they were still piecing together the sequence of the blazes, examining more than 100 potential clues and interviewing witnesses.
Police urged residents to check their cars for any signs of tampering and suggested that people take simple precautions such as locking their vehicles and keeping garage and carport lights on at night.
Despite the arrest on Monday, authorities are continuing to urge vigilance.
"We're not resting, and we're not stopping" the extra patrols, Police Commander Andrew Smith said. "If you have lights in your carport area, keep them on tonight."
Some other deliberately set fires were reported on Thursday in Hollywood, and two people were arrested. But police said on Monday that those suspects were not connected with the 52 other blazes.
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