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The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.

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Authorities arrested a German man Monday in connection with dozens of suspected arson attacks that destroyed parked cars, scorched buildings and rattled much of the nation's second-largest city over the New Year's weekend.

Harry Burkhart, 24, was booked for investigation of arson of an inhabited dwelling and was being held without bail, authorities said. He is a German national, but authorities said they didn't know how long he's been in the United States. Police said he told arresting officers he's from Frankfurt.

Burkhart was arrested earlier in the day because he resembled a "person of interest" captured on surveillance video. He was stopped by a reserve sheriff's deputy in a van being sought by arson investigators, who did not rule out the possibility that others may be involved.

More than 50 blazes have flared since Friday in Hollywood, neighboring West Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley, causing about $3 million in damage. Firefighters have not responded to any other suspicious fires since Burkhart was detained.

Police declined to reveal any motive for the fires. When asked at a news conference about reports that an immigration problem with Burkhart's mother may have been a factor, authorities declined to comment.

"We are very confident in this arrest, but we have a long way to go," said Police Chief Charlie Beck, who mentioned receiving information from federal authorities who recognized Burkhart from the video. They believed he had been involved in removal hearings in immigration court, but they didn't specify how he was involved.

Galina Illarionova, who lives in the same apartment complex as the suspect, told reporters through a Russian translator that an agitated Burkhart visited her Sunday and said his mother was having some kind of legal trouble. He told her his mother was in trouble with authorities and wanted Illarionova to attend a legal hearing with him, but he later said he didn't need her help.

The blazes forced many apartment dwellers from their homes. But there were no serious injuries -- one firefighter was hurt in a fall from a ladder, and another person suffered smoke inhalation.

Most of the fires began in cars, and authorities have not said how they were started.

One of Saturday's fires occurred at the Hollywood and Highland entertainment complex, a popular tourist destination bordered by the Walk of Fame in a neighborhood that includes Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

Damaged buildings included a former home of Doors singer Jim Morrison in Laurel Canyon.

The onslaught of intentionally set fires left residents on edge over the holiday weekend in some of the most densely populated areas of the city. Hundreds of investigators, police officers and firefighters raced to deal with the blazes. Police conducted extra patrols all weekend, and the noise of helicopters and sirens persisted virtually nonstop in Hollywood.

Even long-time firefighters struggled to recall an arson outbreak involving so many fires. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Division Chief James Lopez recalled a notorious case from a generation ago, when California arson investigator John Orr was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 1984 killings of four people in one of multiple arsons he set over the course of years.

"Sometimes it's pathological in nature," Lopez said. "I think motives are going to be hard to come by. We may never know."

Investigators were still busy Monday mapping out the sequence of the blazes, examining more than 100 clues and interviewing witnesses.

The fires left behind a trail of smoldering debris. Police urged residents to check their cars for any signs of tampering and to take simple precautions such as locking vehicles, keeping garage and carport lights on at night and reporting suspicious activity.

Despite the arrest, authorities continued to urge vigilance.

"We're not resting, and we're not stopping" the extra patrols, police Cmdr. Andrew Smith said. "If you have lights in your carport area, keep them on tonight."

Some other deliberately set fires were reported Thursday in Hollywood, and two people were arrested. But police said Monday that those suspects were not connected with the 52 other blazes.

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24-Year-Old Arrested in Los Angeles Arson Spree

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Authorities arrested a German man Monday in connection with dozens of suspected arson attacks that destroyed parked cars, scorched buildings and rattled much of the nation's second-largest city over the New Year's weekend. Harry Burkhart, 24, was booked for investigation of arson of an inhabited dwelling and was being held without bail, authorities said.

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A crime in which a person falsely makes or alters a writing or document with intent to defruad

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A man and woman are charged with producing a counterfeit court order containing the forged signature of a judge in Michigan City to gain custody of another woman's unborn baby.

Detectives are not discussing the case because of the ongoing investigation, but the police report lists the offense as an attempted kidnapping.

LaPorte County Deputy Prosecutor Michael Bergerson said the couple's alleged intentions are not clear yet, but the fake court order presented to hospital staff granted the father of the baby custody after birth.

"It's bizarre and we'll get to the bottom of it," Bergerson said.

Sarah Freese, 36, and Michael Shore, 25, of New Carlisle, were arrested on warrants Tuesday at the courthouse in Michigan City.

They are expected to be arraigned Thursday on Class C felony forgery.

According to police, Freese visited the office of LaPorte Superior Court 2 Judge Richard Stalbrink Jr. on March 4 and filed paperwork for an unspecified reason over her husband's unborn child with the expecting mother.

The judge set a hearing for March 18 to hear both parties.

On March 11, though, Shore was at Franciscan St. Anthony Health stating he was the father of the child the woman's unborn child and presented documents suggesting after birth he was to have full custody after the baby's release from the hospital, police said.

The documents contained what appeared to be Stalbrink's signature.

Police were called when medical staff members contacted the judge and learned the documents were not legitimate. The mother was still in the hospital maternity ward at the time.

Prosecutors were not sure how the counterfeit court order with the forged signature was made, but believe the judge's signature from another court documents was somehow cut and pasted to the fake custody order.

LaPorte County Prosecutor Bob Szilagyi said state law mandates custody awarded immediately to the mother in births to parents who are not married.

To try and gain custody, Szilagyi said the father from an unwed couple must file a petition for the court to decide.

The court likely wouldn't hear arguments from both parties, though, unless there were allegations the mother was posing a danger to the child, Szilagyi said.

According to courtroom officials, the request in the motion filed by Freese over the baby her husband fathered cannot be revealed publicly because information in paternity cases must be kept confidential except for the parties involved in the case.

LaPorte County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Rob Neary said more charges could be forthcoming.

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Couple charged with forgery in baby custody case

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A man and woman are charged with producing a counterfeit court order containing the forged signature of a judge in Michigan City to gain custody of another woman's unborn baby. Detectives are not discussing the case because of the ongoing investigation, but the police report lists the offense as an attempted kidnapping.

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Entry into a building illegally with intent to commit a crime, especially theft.

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The Sussex Technical School District Board of Education has voted to hire Stephen H. Guthrie as new superintendent of schools.

The school board made the announcement at a special board meeting on Tuesday, April 17.

The Sussex Technical School District Board of Education has voted to hire Stephen H. Guthrie as new superintendent of schools.

The school board made the announcement at a special board meeting on Tuesday, April 17.

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The Sussex Technical School District Board of Education has voted to hire Stephen H. Guthrie as new superintendent of schools. The school board made the announcement at a special board meeting on Tuesday, April 17. The Sussex Technical School District Board of Education has voted to hire Stephen H.

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The practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats.

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A 76-year-old Burlington woman accused of extortion was arrested Wednesday.

According to a news release from Lieutenant C.E. Gaddis of the Burlington Police Department, at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 30, employees of Capital Bank at 3466 S. Church Street notified police that a woman, later determined to be Emily Janette Inge, had entered the bank and requested that money be given to her.

Inge alleged that she was forced to make this demand by an unknown male holding another person against their will. The threat was that the hostage would be hurt if the demand was not carried out. The bank did not comply with her request and Inge left business.

After further investigation, police determined that Inge fabricated the alleged events for personal gain. She is currently being held in the Alamance County Jail under a $15,000 secured bond.

The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact the Burlington Police Department at 336-229-3503 or anonymously to Alamance County-Wide Crimestoppers at 336-229-7100.

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A 76-year-old Burlington woman accused of extortion was arrested Wednesday.According to a news release from Lieutenant C.E. Gaddis of the Burlington Police Department, at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 30, employees of Capital Bank at 3466 S.

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The action of robbing a person or place.

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All the latest breaking news on Robbery. Browse The Independent's complete collection of articles and commentary on Robbery.

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Theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one's trust or belonging to one's employer.

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NEWTOWN -- A 51-year-old Newtown woman pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to embezzling more than $1.5 million from her employer.

Joanne Osmolik, the former vice president of human resources for Latex International in Shelton, admitted using corporate money to pay personal expenses and to submitting bogus expense reports to cover up the theft, according to a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Osmolik waived indictment and pleaded guilty to a single count of wire fraud before Judge Stefan Underhill in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport.

The embezzlement, which also allegedly involved another member of the company's senior management, occurred between October 2008 and November 2010.

Company president Dave Fisher said that after the theft was discovered, the company conducted a "comprehensive investigation "and turned the evidence over to federal authorities.

"Osmolik's guilty plea today demonstrates that she betrayed her obligations to the company, its employees and stakeholders," Fisher said in a statement issued by Latex International.

As part of the scheme, Osmolik charged more than $1 million in personal expenses on the corporate American Express card issued to her, the government said. She also billed the company for and collected another $531,000 for fraudulent expenses, according to authorities.

She spent the money on motorcycles, snowmobiles, jewelry and home furnishing, among other things, the government said.

Osmolik faces a term of up to 20 years in prison and a fine when she is sentenced March 9.

As part of the plea deal, she agreed to forfeit her interest in three homes in Vermont, six motorcycles, four snowmobiles, vehicle trailers, jewelry, appliances and furniture, the government said.

Latex International, which was founded in 1975, is the world's largest manufacturer of latex pillows and mattresses, according to the company.

Contact John Pirro at jpirro@newstimes.com or 203-731-3342.

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Woman guilty in $1.5 million embezzlement

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NEWTOWN -- A 51-year-old Newtown woman pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to embezzling more than $1.5 million from her employer. Joanne Osmolik, the former vice president of human resources for Latex International in Shelton, admitted using corporate money to pay personal expenses and to submitting bogus expense reports to cover up the theft, according to a spokesman for the U.S.

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Theft of personal property.

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With his unwitting victim yards away, veteran con man and ex-stripper Guy Cummings did the felony fandango with her credit cards and purse, cops say.

The accused scammer, with a criminal dance card dating back more than two decades, surrendered Tuesday at the Midtown North Precinct stationhouse to face grand larceny charges.

The 50-year-old former exotic dancer was decked out in a leather jacket, cowboy boots and sported an '80s-style mullet the night he nabbed her purse and coat from a Theater District bar, his victim, Stephanie Ryan, 46, of Brielle, N.J., told the Daily News.

"Like he was some kind of rock star guy," she said.

In the past, authorities said Cummings' methods were far more elaborate - posing as a cop, a CIA agent and a mobster during a run of ripoffs.

His vivid history includes tales of life as a movie actor, dodging a pack of police dogs by hiding in a pond and breathing through a reed, and penning a book and a screenplay about his life, according to a source close to the suspect.

The truth was a lot less colorful than the fictions Cummings spun.

About those police dogs, police at the time said Cummings was actually bitten by one of the pooches and arrested soon after.

After going on the lam in 1994, Cummings billed himself as a real-life Rambo who would never be brought in alive. But police said that was just another bogus role: Cummings surrendered in May 1997 after running out of money and "people to scam" in Arizona.

(Michael Graae/For New York Daily News)

His most recent alleged scam took place inside the Mean Fiddler on W. 47th St. in the early morning hours of Dec. 5, officials said, after Ryan's boyfriend left the pub. When she got up to use the bathroom, Cummings grabbed her purse and her coat and two-stepped away. The bag held three credit cards, a bank card, a cell phone and a wallet, police said. Cops gave a freezing, coatless Ryan a voucher and put her on a train home. "I had nothing, it was horrible," she said. "It was just a nightmare."

She felt better Tuesday night after identifying the suspect in a lineup at the Midtown North stationhouse. "I feel a little at peace," Ryan said.

Cummings was released without bail after being arraigned. "We're confident ... he'll be exonerated," said attorney Kevin Faga.

(Michael Graae/For New York Daily News)

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Con man faces grand larceny charge after taking credit cards

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With his unwitting victim yards away, veteran con man and ex-stripper Guy Cummings did the felony fandango with her credit cards and purse, cops say. The accused scammer, with a criminal dance card dating back more than two decades, surrendered Tuesday at the Midtown North Precinct stationhouse to face grand larceny charges.

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Action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property.

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Arlington Heights police are investigating a vandalism report that was filed after a recent pick-up basketball game inside a gym at Recreation Park.

Police said the men's bathroom outside the main gym at the park, 500 E. Miner St., was damaged during the evening of March 26 with graffiti symbols, which were carved into the wood door to the bathroom and the gym floor nearby, said Sgt. Andrew Blevins.

"It sounds like there was a large group of teenagers at the open gym that night who looked to be around 14 to 15 years old and who kept coming in and out of the gymnasium," Blevins said.

The cost to repair the damage is unknown, he said.

The vandalism inside the...

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Arlington Heights police are investigating a vandalism report that was filed after a recent pick-up basketball game inside a gym at Recreation Park. Police said the men's bathroom outside the main gym at the park, 500 E.