LAT: Photos show 'person of interest' in Los Angeles fires (BUSTED)

[ellisonz]

Last edited Tue Jan 3, 2012, 02:09 PM - Edit history (2)

January 1, 2012 | 8:09 pm
-- Andrew Blankstein

The Los Angeles Police Department asked for the public's help Sunday in identifying a "person of interest" in the series of fires in the Hollywood area.

The still images taken from a video show an older white male with a receding hairline and shoulder-length ponytail. He is wearing a black jacket and black pants. His image was caught on a video that showed a car fire Saturday night inside the parking structure of the Hollywood & Highland Center on Hollywood Boulevard.

Photo: Images taken from a videotape show a "person of interest" in the recent fires. He is on the right in the top photo and is wearing black pants and a black jacket. KTLA News

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http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/01/photos-show-person-of-interest-in-fires.html

Ladies and Gentlemen...Mr. Steven Seagal.

[SixthSense]

1. First thing that comes to mind looking at that

he looks like a cop, specifically one of those fat fucks who only come out of the back office to fuck up crowd control with excessive brutality

Anyone seen John Pike recently?

[bemildred]

19. I see a large white male with short hair. nt

[itsrobert]

30. That's very remarkable

You sure it's not a large Samoan?

I cannot tell at all.

[EFerrari]

50. Looks like my ex, who is a large white male

with short hair and who is taken for a cop all the time, an image he on occasion does nothing to refute or dispell. It seems that when people see a large scary guy who happens to be neat, the category "cop" pops up for them.

[bemildred]

83. Well, apparently I'm wrong about the short hair.

Says the guy had a pony tail. How could I be wrong with such a good picture?

[EFerrari]

84. LOL

Happy New Year, bemildred.

[bemildred]

86. Nowhere to go but up, the way I see it.

[notadmblnd]

20. I was thinking cop too.

It was literally my first thought.

[fascisthunter]

27. I Thought it was a cop, then read the article

[backwoodsbob]

32. seriously

how does that look like *a cop*?

[SixthSense]

34. intuition

I'm highly sensitive to cops and this pic set off my radar. It's just an impression, I don't have proof of anything nor am I alleging proof of anything.

They apparently have him in custody so we'll find out soon enough.

[octothorpe]

51. If it's not law enforcement, will you take that as a sign that your policdary senses may not be as

well tuned as you claim?

[SixthSense]

52. I didn't claim it was 100%

it's just an impression, as I made clear in the first post

Comes from thinking "who might feel so unaccountable that they could get away with this?"

Did you know that Lt. John Pike hasn't been charged with any crime?

[octothorpe]

53. I understand that you said you're not 100%

I'm just asking if being wrong would make you more suspect of your initial gut reactions in the future.

Do you ask yourself that about every crime committed? Technically, we could pin point the blame of every crime onto those who may feel they are above the law then. It wouldn't just be police either, we could say it's people with lots of money, influential family/friends, the mentally insane, lucky people who were never caught, highly intelligent people who manage to avoid getting caught. There are plenty of people who might have that attitude.

If this was a pepper spraying incident, then what you said might seem more reasonable to me. Or even if it was a mob going around beating up protesters or some something along those lines.

The only thing that stands out as being a police officer/military is what looked to be short haircut (although it turned out to be otherwise). But I often times have a short haircut and I'm not in the military or law enforcement.

[SixthSense]

54. I'd still trust my instincts

I don't depend on them to be correct every time, but they have kept me out of a lot of trouble in the past.

I do know that cops are not held to the same law as you and I, and for that reason I won't get near one voluntarily. If someone looks or behaves like a cop I play it better safe than sorry and stay the hell away from them.

There are three things that say "cop" to me in the photo: the haircut, the body type, and the posture. All three are things I commonly see in cops, and have no matter where in the country I have lived.

[sendero]

63. FWIW..

.... I had the same reaction.

[Dreamer Tatum]

38. First thing that comes to mind looking at your post

is that you WANT it to be a cop.

It looks more like Meat Loaf to me, actually.

[itsrobert]

55. Meatloaf did wear a cop uniform on an episode of Celebrity Apprentice

Does that count?

[Mac1949]

2. OMG it's Chris Christie! nt

[The Wizard]

10. Christie, yes (NT)

[Tx4obama]

3. The photo quality is as bad as all the ones of Big Foot floating around the internet!

And what's up with the 'dark figure' over on the far right of the photo?
Stare at it long enough and it looks like a witch or someone dressed up in an insect costume!

[Skittles]

4. it looks like John Wayne Gacy

[AngryAmish]

14. Or Jason Voorhees

[Kablooie]

5. The camera stretched the image wider than normal.

I saw another picture and other people looked wide and fat too.

[malaise]

6. OMFG

Chris Christie?

[Warren DeMontague]

7. I'm gonna go with Meat Loaf

[waddirum]

21. He'd do anything for love...

... but he wouldn't set cars on fire.

[Generic Other]

25. My first thought!

OMG.

[fascisthunter]

28. LOL.... or him

[ixion]

8. looks like a cop or a military guy

big shocker there, not.

[ixion]

13. I simply gave my opinion.

Your snark is un-called for, and unnecessary.

[backwoodsbob]

33. how does some fuzzy pic equal

looks like a cop?

[ixion]

35. The way he's holding himself, his haircut, and my initial reaction to the image.

It's my opinion, of course, and you're entitled to your own, as well. When they catch him, we'll see who was closer.

[Crabby Appleton]

36. They arrested the guy around 4:00 AM this morning

people that had seen the suspect near some of the fires reported he had long hair pulled back into a ponytail. Police says he's from Germany.

[lennysub55]

37. snark?

And what about your snark? You see a blurry image and immediately think cop or military? Sorry, but someone 20-30 years old with a receding hairline and shoulder length ponytail doesn't make me think of a cop or soldier.

[ixion]

47. that's fine that it doesn't

your entitled to your opinion.

[treestar]

42. This seems sort of bigoted to me

Why is it OK to generalize about cops like this?

And if one was going to apply cop stereotypes, what about the ponytail?

[ixion]

45. bigoted? Please.

What, cops aren't beyond reproach? The ponytail wasn't apparent from the picture.

[treestar]

46. There are OK cops

Probably most of them.

Out of the blue you claim the guy looks like a cop.

[ixion]

48. no, most of them are scum. There are a few good ones. From my experience, at least.

The job attracts control freaks with a chip on their shoulder, sorry to say.

[treestar]

49. Stereotype

Cops are necessary. Good people can be cops.

[whathehell]

59. Agreed. This is an ugly stereotype.

Sure, some fit it...but to call "most" cops "scum" is quite bigoted in my opinion.

[whathehell]

58. Were the cops who died rescuing people on 9/11 "scum"?...How about those who marched in Wisconsin?

with union members even when THEIR union rights weren't under attack?

You sound like the one with the chip his shoulder.

[ixion]

60. examples like that go both ways

And I gladly admit to not thinking much of the species, in general.

[whathehell]

66. Meaning?

[ixion]

67. Meaning your point is moot.

[whathehell]

69. Meaning you can't explain yourself...

and your "point" is BS.

[ixion]

70. okay, meaning anyone commits acts of heroism, not just cops

and for every act of heroism you care to provide, i can provide you with a dozen less savory examples.

That is to say, you're point is moot.

[whathehell]

71. A cop, unlike your basic accountant or computer geek, puts his or her life on the line every day.

In any case, I've given specifics, you, despite your assertion

of being able to provide "dozens of less savory examples",

haven't provided even one.

[ixion]

73. The idea that a cops job is the most dangerous is a myth.

In fact, it's not even in the top 10.

http://pattyinglishms.hubpages.com/hub/Most_Dangerous_Jobs


As far as police abuse and scandal goes, a simple google search brings up plenty of examples.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gl=us&tbm=nws&btnmeta_news_search=1&q=police+brutatlity&oq=police+brutatlity&aq=f&aqi=d1d-o1&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=795l4597l0l6210l20l9l0l0l0l1l1601l3001l0.1.0.1.6-1.0.1l4l0

And this is just for the phrase, 'police brutality'. Police corruption, police scandal, police abuse, etc would all turn up equally disturbing results.

[whathehell]

76. It may not be the "most" dangerous, but I bet it's a hell of a lot more dangerous than yours.

or mine, for that matter.

As for "brutality", you don't need to be a policeman to fit that bill, either.

If "everyone" can be heroic", certainly "everyone" can be brutal, as well.

Policeman, in fact, are often called in to STOP brutality.

Question: If someone invades your house, mugs you or a family member, who you gonna call?

Answer: You're going to call a cop.

It's about the use and mis-use of power:

Everyone hates a cop who abuses his power, just like everyone DEPENDS on,

and is grateful to a cop who comes to their aid when they're being

abused by someone ELSE.

[ixion]

77. actually, when my house was broken into, I specifically did NOT call a cop

because they would just make a bad situation worse. I managed a hotel in Miami back in the 90's, and had to call cops when a room was broken into. Never once did they catch someone, but they did manage to trash the room that had been broken into, and they did manage to further traumatize the guests who had been staying in the room.

I do agree with you, though, that anyone can be brutal, or a hero, or somewhere in between. So there's that.

And while I can understand the sentiment that they are, in theory, supposed to stop brutality, or something else, so often they just make a bad situation worse. Perhaps not the officer him/her self, but the system.

I've known good people whom I respected who were cops, but from my experience, that is the exception to the rule.

"It's not that I hate cops, I just seem to feel better when they're not around." -- Charles Bukowski.

[zappaman]

79. Bukowski felt that way about everyone.

From BARFLY
Wanda: I can't stand people, I hate them.
Henry: Oh yeah?
Wanda: Do you hate them?
Henry: No, but I seem to feel better when they're not around.


Wanda: I hate the police, don't you?
Henry: I don't know, but I seem to feel better when they're not around.

[ixion]

80. And once again, I would agree with Buk.

[whathehell]

81. Yeah, because it was after the fact....Had that, or a mugging been "in progress"

you would have called a cop -- unless, of course, you're a blackbelt in karate

with your own private arsenal.

[ixion]

82. I caught the guy in the house (I was asleep and woke up) and chased him out.

End of story.

[whathehell]

85. I guess he didn't have a gun, then...That helps.

[Evergreen Emerald]

62. oops! your bias is showing.

The studies indicate that the percentage of bad police officers is the same as the percentage of bad people in general. No more, no less.

I am sorry that you have had bad experiences with police officers. I myself, know a police officer who ran into a burning house to save an occupant. I know another who took a bullet for a domestic violence victim.

I understand your bias...I personally am biased against people who automatically hate police. It leads me to believe there are authority issues from the past to work out.

[sendero]

64. Yes..

... except a bad policeman can RUIN YOUR LIFE much easier than Joe Blow. And the "good" police know he's bad but they won't do anything about it.

[ixion]

68. which makes a 'good' cop bad by proxy.

[whathehell]

72. Yes, and a good policeman can SAVE your life

and is generally more willing and available to do so than Joe Blow.

It's all about the use and/or abuse of power.

IMO, a good police officer is GOLD...A bad one is "scum"

as XION said.

[sendero]

87. the number of times policemen..

.. "save" anyone's life is vanishingly small. Their job is mostly to harass people they think might be a problem or to clean up after a crime.

The idea that a policeman can "save" you in a perilous situation is pretty silly. The next time you are being robbed or about to get your ass beat, just pause and call the police and see how that works out for you.

I don't hate police. Most of the interactions I've had with them have been professional and courteous. I'm well aware that they have a difficult job. But I have dealt with several DICKS on a power trip who were sure I was lying when I was not. I don't think being particularly intelligent is a requirement for becoming a police officer.

And I totally agree with what any lawyer will tell you - don't say anything to a policeman you don't have to - they can, will and do twist it to suit their own purposes.

[whathehell]

88. "The idea that a policeman can "save" you in a perilous situation is pretty silly"...Really?

Sorry, but I've had a policeman "save" me, so I know that what's "silly" here is your assertion.

If they're job is not to fight crime, what, pray tell, is it?

That being as it may, I'm well aware that a number ARE "dicks on a power trip", and I've experienced a couple

of those too. Years ago, I got into a "domestic dispute" (verbal, not violent) and the asshole

cop I dealt with tried to "twist" that situation too.

That being said, I think it best we do NOT disband the police force....They are OBVIOUSLY needed, even if

the need for their "oversight" is clear as well.

[ixion]

65. Yes, I have issues with authority.

Which stems from people in authority abusing that authority. The 'work out' thing is on that end. If the PTB would behave responsibly -- which they don't -- I wouldn't have a problem.

And as far as your vague reference to 'the studies' go, I would tend to agree. Humans, collectively speaking, have just one foot outside the cave. We're a very disappointing species, in my opinion.

[secondvariety]

9. Michael Myers

Cue the music...

[tabasco]

12. Holy crap!

You're right!

[NBachers]

15. Where do I claim my reward?

[dixiegrrrrl]

16. Can you imagine the lineup at the police station.?

Even trying to find 5 other blurry guys will be a challenge.

[treestar]

43. lol

[truthisfreedom]

61. Hahahaha. Nice.

[Kelvin Mace]

17. Suspect! The goddamned word is "suspect"

I am tired of the media being the lapdog of the police state and mouthing its doublespeak.

[Dreamer Tatum]

40. Tip a glance at post #1

That guy is ready to convict the police force based on a 1 megapixel image.

[Kelvin Mace]

89. Sorry, I have a visceral reaction to imprecise language

and weaselly euphemism

[KG]

18. hey! i know that guy!

[Historic NY]

22. One of the most notorious California arsonists was John Orr.......

John Orr was a former fire captain and arson investigator for the Glendale Fire Department in Southern California, and to much surprise, a serial arsonist. During the ’80s and early ’90s, there were a series of fires around the Los Angeles area that were going unsolved. Investigators noticed that the fires were started in areas next to major highways and, ironically, while arson investigation conventions were going on nearby.

He is serving life for a fire that killed 4 people.

[wakemewhenitsover]

23. Seagal. lol

The only thing is, what ponytail? Unless there is a clearer angle of this person, I find it disturbing that a ponytail was tacked onto the description, since ponytails are generally associated with the left. (But wait -- turns out Seagal is a PETA supporter!)

[dixiegrrrrl]

24. They need to broadcast an alert for some big guy who just cut off his ponytail, now.

[wakemewhenitsover]

26. Ha!

[itsrobert]

31. Ponytail found in dumpster behind North Hollywood Buger King

news at 11.

[treestar]

44. Ha!

You are on a roll with this thread!

[shanti]

29. more: creepy smile, blue minivan, possibly german

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/01/man-detained-in-la-arson-fires-drove-minivan-may-be-german.html

[ellisonz]

39. Brass to tacks this is the guy.

L.A. arson probe: Fire-starting materials found in van, police say L.A. arson probe: Fire-starting materials found in van, police say
January 2, 2012 | 7:21 am

Los Angeles Police Department detectives found materials that could have been used to set fires inside the minivan of a "person of interest" detained for questioning in the recent string of L.A. arson fires, law enforcement sources told The Times.

The sources did not reveal details but said detectives confiscated “evidence and materials” that suggest the individual had the ability to ignite some or all of the blazes.

Little is known about the man. Sources said the the minivan had Canadian license plates but that detectives believe the man might originally be from Germany.

The man was detained near a drugstore at the corner of Fairfax Avenue and Sunset Boulevard early Monday morning, according to a witness to the incident.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/01/fire-starting-materials-found-in-van-of-person-of-interest-sources-say-.html

[freshwest]

41. Well, now we just have to close that Canadian border...

I'd love to hear why this guy thought that was a cool thing to do, too. I hope he was the only one and this is the end of it.

[itsrobert]

56. Maybe it's Chaz Bono?

n/t

[greiner3]

57. Other then the ponytial;

It could be Cheney.

[lunatica]

74. The graininess of the photo is a dead giveaway that he's a UFO

or Bigfoot or an outer space alien. Or a Chupacabra.

[Blue_Tires]

75. older white male with a receding hairline and shoulder-length ponytail??

It's gotta be Michael Q. Schmidt...

[snooper2]

78. They might be able to catch the guy if this wasn't recorded with a spoon