Arson spree suspect in custody
HOLLYWOOD, CA (BDCi) – Police have detained a 24-year-old man for the recent spree of over 50 fires in and around Hollywood. Harry Burkhart, a German national, allegedly began his spree due to his mother’s impending deporation back to Germany.
Dorothee Burkhart is currently in federal custody for 19 counts of fraud.
She also ran an erotic massage business, Hollywood Tantra Massage, offering “exclusive body work” and “high skilled, wonderful erotic-romantic body and soul treatment.”
Interestingly enough, Burkhart is under investigation for a house fire in Frankfurt, Germany in October of this year.
According to sources a Vancouver doctor diagnosed Harry with “autism…severe anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, depression and a sleeping condition.”
Police caught a break in the case when Harry showed up at one of his mother’s immigration hearings, shouting anti-American phrases. A federal officer recognized him and informed police.
Harry was arrested on Monday morning after authorities found his van, which matched the description investigators had put out.
The arson spree, totaling 53, is the worst L.A. has seen since the ’92 riots and has caused an estimated $3 million in damages.
Neighbors described Harry as “unhappy” and “creepy.”
“He never spoke to anybody…He’d go up and down the steps and that’s it.”
Since Burkhart’s arrest there have been no new fires.
By: Diego Díaz Source: KTLA Photo: ABC News 3 January 2012
9:38 a.m. P.D.T.