Police in Los Angeles have arrested a German national in connection with more than 50 suspected arson fires that rattled nerves in the Hollywood area over the New Year’s holiday.
Police identified the suspect as Harry Burkhart, 24, and said he had been charged with arson. Police said he was arrested on January 2 after police pulled over a van matching the description of a vehicle that witnesses had linked to a number of the blazes.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said the 53 deliberately set fires in Hollywood and surrounding areas had caused an estimated $3 million in damage to cars and buildings.
The series of fires that began December 30 mainly targeted parked cars and carports.
One of the suspected arsons damaged a house where Doors singer Jim Morrison wrote the 1968 song “Love Street.”
compiled from agency reports
Police identified the suspect as Harry Burkhart, 24, and said he had been charged with arson. Police said he was arrested on January 2 after police pulled over a van matching the description of a vehicle that witnesses had linked to a number of the blazes.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said the 53 deliberately set fires in Hollywood and surrounding areas had caused an estimated $3 million in damage to cars and buildings.
The series of fires that began December 30 mainly targeted parked cars and carports.
One of the suspected arsons damaged a house where Doors singer Jim Morrison wrote the 1968 song “Love Street.”
compiled from agency reports