SOUTHLAND : Hollywood Auto Arsonist Sought
Police said today there is an arsonist on the loose in Hollywood with an eye for convertible cars.
The culprit torched a dozen cars in Hollywood and West Hollywood early today, most of them Jeeps. Police believe the same person struck several times on the night of May 12.
In all, authorities say nearly 20 vehicles have fallen victim to the arsonist who seems to hopscotch between the two adjoining cities, keeping city and county firefighters running from one call to another.
The two departments responded to 12 fires early today between 3:51 a.m. and 5:10 a.m. that destroyed or heavily damaged eight Jeeps, a Suzuki Samurai, an MG, and a Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. City Fire Capt. Thomas Brennan said the arsonist seemed “to be working from east to west.”
Damage estimates ranged from $11,000 for a Jeep destroyed in a fire on Crescent Heights Boulevard to $2,000 for the convertible 1970 Karmann Ghia.
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