
HOLLYWOOD (LALATE) – Harry Burkhart (alleged photos below) has been arrested for the arson fires in Hollywood. Harry Burkhart
is the same person as pictured in surveillance video, police tell news at a press briefing this afternoon. Last night, police released to news the below surveillance video of the man they were seeking for dozens of arson fires around Southern California. Then early today, one man was detained, held as a person-of-interest. In a news briefing midday, police confirmed that their suspect had been arrested. Finally, moments ago, police released the suspect’s name as Harry Burkhart, 24.
In the pre-dawn hours of Monday morning, LAFD issued the photo of their person-of-interest. Hours later, eleven more arson fires were set. Those fires erupted in Hollywood, Hollywood Hills and Studio City. They were all set by 1:30 am. Then by 4 am, the person-of-interest was detained. Erik Scott for the Los Angeles Fire Department told news at the time that “A person of interest has been detained and is being questioned. It is too early to speculate if this person responsible.”
Arson Suspect Pictures Set 1
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Initially the person wasn’t a suspect. “He has his right hand in his pocket, he never removes his right hand from his pocket,” said Los Angeles police Commander Michael Moriaty. But Moriaty initially said “We’re not labeling this person as a suspect, but we certainly would like to talk to this person.”
But after interrogations were held, Harry Burkhart was arrested and named as the top suspect for the Hollywood arson fires.
Arson Suspect Pictures Set 2
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To date, LAFD has been handling two different arson cases. They confirmed that a first round of fires was set by one person; they believe that suspect is 22-year-old Samuel Arrington of Sunland.
A second round of fifty-five fires were set by a separate person, LAFD tells news. Investigators claim “A total of 55 fires of concern have broke out in the Los Angeles area over the last four days from 12/30/11 to 01/02/12. ” Forty-five fires have erupted in the Los Angeles area, nine in West Hollywood, and one in Burbank.
LAFD news over the weekend “It doesn’t matter how small a fire you intended to start. Arson is not just a serious crime, it’s a Felony.”
Last week, rewards for the arsonist were increased . ATF was offering ten thousand dollars, while LA City was offering twenty-five thousand “for info leading to arrest & conviction” of the Hollywood arsonist. Now the total rewards has reportedly been increased to $65,000. It remains unclear if anyone will be getting the reward money.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told news today “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.”
The Mayor added “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.”
He noted “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. “