As reported by KABC from Los Angeles, amidst the celebrations of a long New Year’s Eve weekend a man set no less than 53 fires, injuring one firefighter, and, as of January 3, has now been identified, arrested and charged.
H.B., 24, a resident of Hollywood where a majority of the fires were set, has since been held on $250,000 bail.
His mother’s recent deportation hearing allegedly upset H.B., a German national, and may have been the impetus for the arsons. This motive, per authorities, was further exhibited when H.B. allegedly said, “I hate America” at his detention.
By Monday morning, January 2, there were twelve new arson fires to add to a total of 53 since Friday, December 30. After H.B.’s arrest, there were no further arson incidents reported.
Police released a surveillance video, taken of a person of interest to the arson, but there has not been a clear connection to the person seen in the video and the man arrested on Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue.
The man arrested was the fourth person brought in for questioning. Sources reported to KABC news that his vehicle, a minivan, contained an incendiary device.
The suspect was uncooperative, per authorities, and will be asked to submit to polygraph testing.
Volunteer reserve sheriff’s deputy S.L pulled over the suspect at approximately 3 a.m.
Beginning a little after 1:30 a.m. early Monday morning new fires had been set in Hollywood, Hollywood Hills and Studio City. One fire, near La Cienega Boulevard, spread over four cars and three apartment units.
On December 29, last Thursday, two people in connection to arson fires were arrested but were charged with incidents unrelated to the weekend arson spree.
H.B. has been charged for one count of arson so far, more charges are expected in the coming days.
At a hearing last week H.B. learned that his mother, with whom he resides, may be facing deportation to Germany. The fires began shortly thereafter.
A Russian-speaking neighbor that lives in the same building with the mother and son, G.L., spoke to reporters with the aid of an interpreter. G.L. commented that H.B. did not appear to be “completely normal” and also looked very angry to her.
Another Hollywood resident, S.E., who works next to the apartment building, said that he had cut H.B.’s hair about one week ago. S.E. asked rhetorically, “How come I didn't see in his face any anger, any sign of depression?”
L.A. City Councilman Tom La Bonge remarked, “This has been a very trying time for Los Angeles. I can't remember any time ... this type of action that's taking place.”
Most of the arsons were set in or around motor vehicles and then would sometimes spread to structures. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage are expected to be tallied up in the 53 incidents.
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