Hollywood resident Harry Burkhart has been identified as the man suspected of starting more than 50 fires in a Los Angeles-area arson spree.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Monday at a news conference on Monday that the suspect, aged 24, was being held without bail in downtown Los Angeles. He has been charged with one count of arson.
Police detained the man earlier on Monday near the intersection Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue after a sheriff's deputy recognized his van as resembling one authorities have sought.
The man bears a very strong resemblance to a man in a video police released on Sunday in connection with the case, fire Capt. Jamie Moore told TheWrap.
Since Friday, 45 potential arson fires have broken out in Los Angeles, as well as nine in West Hollywood and one in Burbank, the fire department said.
Police said the man has been captured in several surveillance videos near arson fires, including this video:
