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Los Angeles arson: Police arrest man in van Los Angeles arson: Police arrest German national
(about 9 hours later)
Los Angeles police say a van driver they detained earlier on Monday is believed responsible for a spate of arson attacks across the city. Los Angeles police have arrested a 24-year-old German national over a spate of arson attacks across the city.
The detention came as a dozen more suspicious fires broke out in the early hours at garages around the city. They named the man as Harry Burkhart, who although originally from Germany, has lived in LA for some years.
Department spokesman Captain Jaime Moore says 10 of the blazes were in Los Angeles and two in West Hollywood. He was arrested after resembling a "person of interest" captured on surveillance video.
Police have been puzzled by what is thought to be the worst wave of arson to sweep the city since the 1992 riots. More than 50 fires have erupted in LA neighbourhoods since the early hours of Friday. Vehicles parked on streets and in car ports were mainly targeted.
Investigators released surveillance video on Sunday showing a man at a garage that was the scene of one of the car fires. Residents were waking in the early hours to find their cars alight, and the flames threatening their homes and themselves.
Police stopped a van driven by a pony-tailed man near Sunset Boulevard on Monday and found materials that could link him to the fires.
The suspect was not identified by police, but a press conference was scheduled for later on Monday, officials said.
Spate of attacks
The man was spotted by a rookie reserve policeman who was new to the job, the LA Times newspaper reported.
Los Angeles Police spokesman Charlie Beck told City News Service he was confident they have the right suspect.
Two people were arrested on Friday, but were behind bars when new fires broke out on Saturday.
No injuries were reported in the latest spate of attacks, which began at 01:30 (09:30 GMT) on Monday.
There have been 55 suspicious fires since Thursday, mainly in vehicles parked outside homes.
The former Hollywood Hills home of Jim Morrison, frontman of The Doors, was among the properties damaged.The former Hollywood Hills home of Jim Morrison, frontman of The Doors, was among the properties damaged.
One firefighter was treated for injuries over the weekend while on New Year's Eve, another person suffered smoke inhalation.One firefighter was treated for injuries over the weekend while on New Year's Eve, another person suffered smoke inhalation.
Dozens of detectives were assigned to the case, while a reward of $60,000 (£38,700) was offered for information leading to a conviction.Dozens of detectives were assigned to the case, while a reward of $60,000 (£38,700) was offered for information leading to a conviction.
Surveillance video
Mr Burkhart was arrested on Sunset Boulevard in the early hours of Monday after a reserve sheriff's deputy spotted the minivan that was being sought in connection with the attacks.
He was booked on suspicion of arson and is being held in an LA county jail, officials said.
"I feel very good that we've got the right guy," Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck was quoted by the LA Times newspaper as saying.
No motive for the fires have been given, but there is speculation of a link to the possible deportation of the suspect's mother.
Mr Beck said the suspect had been recognised on the released surveillance video by federal law enforcement agents "who have been privy to removal hearings" in an immigration court.
The CCTV footage showed a man wearing black clothes at a garage that was the scene of one of the car fires.
Vigilance
Over the New Year holiday weekend, fires erupted during the night in areas including Hollywood, neighbouring West Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley.
The attacks - estimated to have caused at least $3m in damage - left residents on edge.
Actor Dennis Nanney told the LA Times that he had spent much of Sunday night peering out of the window of his apartment on Laurel Canyon Boulevard to check his and his neighbours' carports were safe.
He fell asleep at around 01:00, only to be woken later by his neighbours' screams of "fire". A vehicle in the carport was on fire, although firefighters were able to prevent the flames from spreading.
"It happened right under my nose," said Mr Nanney, upset that his vigilance had not paid off.
Two people were arrested on Friday, but were ruled out as suspects after new fires broke out on Saturday while they were behind bars.
Police Chief Beck said that, although they believe they have the right man and that he acted alone, residents should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.