LA Arson Suspect Identified, Possibly Motivated by Deportation Battle
abc news / RICHARD ESPOSITO
02-Jan-2012 (7 comments)

Officials this evening identified a man arrested after a series of 52 blazes in the Los Angeles area, and hailed the reserve deputy sheriff who apprehended him.

"Our long, four-day nightmare is over," Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky told reporters.

Harry Burkhart, 24, was charged this afternoon with one count of arson of an inhabited dwelling, with more charges expected as the investigation proceeds, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told reporters at a news conference featuring an array of local officials who teamed up to investigate the case.

"The residents of Hollywood and the city of West Hollywood may now resume the peace and safety they deserve," Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca said. "A serial arsonist, I believe, has been caught.

>>>
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yolanda

............

by yolanda on Tue Jan 03, 2012 09:54 AM PST

MSNBC story:

//www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45856674/ns/local_news-los_angeles_ca/t/tip-led-reserve-deputy-stop-arson-suspect/

"I take pride in the city, I take pride in the department,'' Lalezary said. "I think it's just a big relief everyone can just go to sleep tonight and still be vigilant but sleep well.

"I'm ecstatic that law enforcement gets to shine a little bit."

Lalezary, 30, declined to discuss details of the traffic stop, citing the ongoing investigation. Lalezary's family, including his brother who also is a reserve deputy, attended a news conference Monday night.

"He's an outstanding brother and an outstanding deputy," his brother said. "It's good to be by his side."

more photos of Shervin:

//www.laobserved.com/archive/2012/01/who_is_shervin_lalezary_h.php

//www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/11215414-hats-off-to-los-angeles-newest-hero-shervin-lalezary

I can't believe he is not Iranian of the Day yet!

Every article mentioned he was born in Tehran!


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Esfand Aashena

بچهٔ لاله زار هم که هست! بابا ایوالله!

Esfand Aashena
Tue Jan 03, 2012 09:23 AM PST

Everything is sacred


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vildemose

From CNN article:

by vildemose on Tue Jan 03, 2012 09:21 AM PST

From CNN article:

"Burkhart is believed to be a foreign national from Germany."

Can you imagine if he was muslim or Arab?? It would have a totally different case.

 

 A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny.--Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.


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yolanda

.............

by yolanda on Tue Jan 03, 2012 09:13 AM PST

Here is a CNN article about the Iranian part-time deputy, Shervin Lalezary:

//www.cnn.com/2012/01/03/us/california-arson/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

highlights:

"I can tell you this is a lot more exciting than my day job," Lalezary said, after the arrest.

Lalezary appeared at a post-arrest news conference with his mother and his brothers. One is a doctor; the other a law student who is also a reserve deputy. The younger Lalezary said he now has "big shoes to fill."

"I'll continue to strive to be as good of a brother and deputy as he is," said Shawn Lalezary.

For his part, Lalezary was quick to dole credit to his fellow law enforcement officers.

"Thank you for coming in to work every day full-time, putting your lives on the line every day full-time,"he said. "I look forward to coming back for my next shift with you guys."

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What a heart-warming story for the new year and Iranian community!


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yolanda

..........

by yolanda on Tue Jan 03, 2012 07:49 AM PST

Thank you, Faramarz, for the photo!

What a nice guy and a great volunteer!


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Faramarz

Don't Mess with Beverly Hills or Westwood!

by Faramarz on Tue Jan 03, 2012 07:24 AM PST

You will have Iranian brothers all over you!

I Agree Yolanda, Iranian of the Day, all the Way!

Here is his smiling face. He is a real estate attorney, so Iranian, so LA!

 

//multimedia.heraldinteractive.com/images/20120103/1442d5_arson010312.jpg 


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yolanda

...........

by yolanda on Mon Jan 02, 2012 08:17 PM PST

(Arson suspect) Burkhart was caught during a traffic stop initiated by a Tehran, Iran-born Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department volunteer, Baca added.

"Deputy Shervin Lalezary, standing next to me, [is] a full-time attorney and a part-time reserve deputy sheriff, although for the past four days he's been working full time for $1 a year," Baca said.

"Give him a raise," someone at the news conference yelled out, prompting Bacca jokingly to propose raising Lalezary's compensation to $2 per year.

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The guy should be Iranian of the Day! I will try to find the video for the press conference!


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