‘I hate America,’ suspected LA arsonist said on arrest
A man who was arrested in connection with a string of arson fires across the Los Angeles area reportedly told police officers, “I hate America,” when they put him in handcuffs on Monday.
According to a witness the suspect, 24-year-old Harry Burkhart from Germany, uttered the words as he was pulled over and arrested early Monday, L.A. Weekly reported.
Police made the arrest after a tip from federal officials who thought they recognized the grainy figure caught on a surveillance video near where a car fire was reported.
A “person of interest” detained in connection with 53 arson fires in the Hollywood area has been arrested and will be charged, officials said Monday. NBC’s Mike Taibbi reports.
Burkhart was booked for investigation of arson of an inhabited dwelling. Since the arrest, firefighters have not responded to any other suspicious fires.
“Our long four-day nightmare is over,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.