Man Detained in Connection With Arson Fires

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck, who was leading an equestrian unit in the Rose Parade Monday, said he was confident an arsonist suspected of setting dozens of fires over the past three days was off the streets.

"I feel very good that we've got the right guy," Beck told City News Service shortly after the parade stepped off at 8 a.m. "[The suspect] had the right stuff in his van, and we are very confident we found our man."

A man, who authorities would identify only as a "person of interest," was detained at the intersection of Fairfax Avenue and Sunset Boulevard early Monday, said LAPD Officer Sara Faden. As of late Monday morning, he had not been arrested or charged in connection with the fires.

The man was spotted after a sheriff's patrol, which provides law enforcement for West Hollywood, saw the man's vehicle, a black Dodge minivan with British Columbia license plates, parked outside a Rite-Aid store, according to sources, KFI News reported.

The man may have set fires around Los Angeles out of anger after immigration authorities detained the man's mother for deportation last week, according to the KFI report.

The Los Angeles Times reported an unnamed law enforcement source who said the minivan had Canadian license plates but that detectives believe the man might originally be from Germany.

A total of 55 suspected arson fires have broken out in the Los Angeles area since Dec. 30, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Erik Scott. There were 45 fires in the Los Angeles area, nine in West Hollywood and one in Burbank.

"A person of interest has been detained and is being questioned," Scott told Patch. "It is too early to speculate if this person is responsible for spree arson fires."

According to City News Service, the announcement follows 12 new fires since 1 a.m. Monday in carports around Hollywood, the Hollywood Hills, Sherman Oaks and West Hollywood.

The City Maven published a statement from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa about the detainment:

"Over the past few days we have been faced with an ongoing series of arson fires committed by an individual with wanton disregard for the lives and property of Angelenos. Thankfully, there have been no lives lost to these criminal acts and only minor injuries to date.

"After another series of fires last night that brought the total to 54 since Friday, I am encouraged by the detainment this morning of a ‘person of interest’ in Hollywood. While the investigation continues, I am thankful for the ongoing and relentless effort by the LAFD, LAPD and other agencies to respond to these incidents and pursue every lead toward an arrest in the case. I also want to thank Angelenos for their vigilance these past few days and their patience as our public safety agencies worked under extremely challenging circumstances to not only handle the rash of arson fires, but to protect the rest of the city, as well, over the New Year holiday."

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