Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

More Crime & Courts Stories»

Accused LA Arsonist Eyed in Vancouver Fires

Canada rejected Burkhart's claim for refugee status

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 6, 2012 12:50 AM CST

(Newser) – Cops in Vancouver are wondering whether accused Los Angeles firebug Harry Burkhart hates Canadians as much as he hates Americans. Burkhart and his mother lived in the city before moving to LA, and Canadian police now suspect him of involvement in at least a dozen unsolved property arsons in Vancouver, the Los Angeles Times reports. The 24-year-old German national, who faces life in prison if convicted of the LA fires, is also suspected of at least one arson in Germany.

Burkhart and his mom left Canada after their refugee claim was rejected because she was wanted on fraud charges in Germany. His mother admitted that she climbed out of a police station window to escape after she was arrested for not paying a bill for breast augmentation surgery, reports the Globe and Mail. A doctor in Vancouver says she was part of a team that diagnosed Burkhart with "autism, severe anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression," CNN reports.

In this courtroom sketch, Dorothee Burkhart, mother of Harry, appears in federal court on fraud charges in Los Angeles earlier this week. (AP Photo/Bill Robles)

Harry Burkhart's arrest. (AP Photo/OnScene.tv)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

CLICK BELOW TO VOTE

22%

37%

11%

19%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Suspected LA Arsonist Faces Life

Harry Burkhart could serve as many as 341 years ... or more

(NEWSER) - Suspected arsonist Harry Burkhart reportedly proclaimed "I hate America," when Los Angeles police apprehended him—and it looks like America, or, at least, its prosecutors, aren't too keen on him, either. Burkhart faces 37 felony counts of arson; if convicted on all counts, that could translate into a sentence of up to 341 years, reports the LA Times . In court papers filed yesterday, prosecutors argue that Burkhart's alleged four-day spree was "motivated by his rage against Americans." More»

LA Arson Suspect: I Hate America

State Department tip led cops to angry Harry Burkhart

(NEWSER) - The 24-year-old German man arrested on suspicion of setting more than 50 houses and building on fire in Los Angeles said "I hate America" after cops pulled him out of his car, LA Weekly reports. Harry Burkhart was apparently furious over his mother's pending deportation, say police, who were tipped off by a State Department official involved in the case who witnessed Burkhart ranting against America at a recent hearing. More»

Suspect Arrested in LA Arsons

'We've got the right guy,' says LAPD chief

(NEWSER) - The "person of interest" detained earlier today in Los Angeles' string of arsons has been arrested, reports the Los Angeles Times . "I feel very good that we've got the right guy," says LA Police Chief Charlie Beck. He "had the right stuff in his van, and we are very confident we found our man.'' Indeed, there have been no new fires since the suspect was detained. Police say that the suspect is a German who was embroiled in a fight with federal immigration authorities. More»

LA Arson Spree Continues With 12 More Fires

12 more fires break out, police detain person of interest

(NEWSER) - Another dozen fires broke out over two hours early this morning around Los Angeles, some of them apparently simultaneously , as police investigate 55 such incidents since last week . Police have now detained a "person of interest" in the crimes, believed to be the same white male between 20 and 30 years old shown in a police video released yesterday. The man was spotted walking out of an underground parking area where there was a fire Saturday, the AP reports. More»

More Fires Hit LA on NYE

Wave of arson now the worst since '92 riots

(NEWSER) - Hundreds of extra firefighters were deployed in Los Angeles New Year's Eve to fight the city's worst wave of arson since the 1992 riots. Four more cars were set ablaze, apparently at random, and investigators believe the same arsonist or arsonists who started more than 30 fires in vehicles and car ports Thursday and Friday is to blame, the Los Angeles Times reports. Firefighters managed to prevent Saturday's fires from spreading to buildings. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Accused LA Arsonist Eyed in Vancouver Fires

Canada rejected Burkhart's claim for refugee status

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Los Angeles • arson • British Columbia • Vancouver • arsonist • pyromaniac • Harry Burkhart

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Suspected LA Arsonist Faces Life

Harry Burkhart could serve as many as 341 years ... or more

LA Arson Suspect: I Hate America

State Department tip led cops to angry Harry Burkhart

Suspect Arrested in LA Arsons

'We've got the right guy,' says LAPD chief

LA Arson Spree Continues With 12 More Fires

12 more fires break out, police detain person of interest

More Fires Hit LA on NYE

Wave of arson now the worst since '92 riots

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?