Arson Suspect Identified as Hollywood Resident, German National

Harry Burkhart, a 24-year-old Hollywood resident and German national reportedly in a dispute with federal immigration officials, was identified at a Monday evening news conference as the suspected arsonist responsible for in the Los Angeles area.

"He is the most dangerous arsonist in Los Angeles County that I can recall," L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca said of Burkhart, who lives on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.

Officials were tipped off to Burkhart after he recently made a scene at a Los Angeles Immigration Court hearing, according to the Los Angeles Times. The Times reported that police speculate he might have started the fires because he was upset over his mother's pending deportation.

Burkhart was booked at 1:48 p.m. Monday and his bail was set at $250,000. He has been charged with one felony count of arson, but police said more charges will follow. No date has been set for his first court appearance.

Police said Burkhart, a burly man with a ponytail, looked like the man at the scene of several fires. Police released video of the suspect Sunday night.

West Hollywood Sheriff's volunteer reserve Deputy Shervin Lalezary detained Burkhart at about 3 a.m. Monday at Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue during a traffic stop, police said.

"As we speak, search warrants are being served at this individual's residence. We will know much more tomorrow than we know today," Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said. "We have to proceed with caution."

The suspected arsonist allegedly set 11 fires between midnight Sunday and the time he was arrested early Monday, Los Angeles Fire Capt. Jaime Moore said. Property damage totals are estimated to be around $3 million.

"There's so much more work to be done. We've got a bunch of clues, a bunch of leads, more people to interview, search warrants to execute," L.A. Police Commander Andrew Smith said. "Our guys will be working around the clock. They'll be working for many days on this case."

Los Angeles Fire Chief Brian Cummings asked communities to remain vigilant.

"If you see something, say something," he said. "The information from the public from what they were observing over the past four days—and the tips they called in—were critical in getting us information and being able to respond quickly to these incidents, and to resolve them quickly without further loss of life or property damage."

This report was compiled with information from City News Service.

Be sure to follow Beverly Hills Patch on Twitter and "Like" us on Facebook.