Man arrested in $1 million arson fires

[DoNotRefill]

"WEST COVINA, California (AP) -- Federal agents arrested a 25-year-old member of a co-op dedicated to peace and environmentalism in connection with arson fires and vandalism that did $1 million in damage to a Hummer dealership.

Joshua Thomas Connole, of Pomona, was arrested at home Friday, said Cpl. Rudy Lopez, a West Covina police spokesman. He was booked for investigation of felony arson and vandalism and jailed $825,000 bail.

The fires August 22 gutted a parts warehouse and destroyed 20 Hummer H2 sport utility vehicles at a West Covina dealership. Another 20 Hummers and several Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs were badly damaged by fire and spray paint."

http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/09/13/suv.arson.ap/index.html

Ahhh....shit.

[IMayBeWrongBut]

1. It remains to be seen

No picture of the guy or video clip out, yet. I want see that.

I have to wonder with the economy not so great. Those H2s probably aren't selling too well. Arsons are most often insurance fraud. Is this insurance fraud trying to appear as though it were a politcal act?

Did they just round up the usuall suspects or is the guy in the video clearly the guy they arrested? I want to see for myself...

[DoNotRefill]

2. I've seen his mugshot and some of the video...

From the video, I can't tell squat. We'll have to wait and see. If there's nothing there, it'll make a hell of a lawsuit.

[w4rma]

3. Indymedia Eyewitness Account:

At 1 am PT Fri. 9.12.03 FBI and ATF agents approached the REGEN V CO-OP home and arrested Josh, a members. They would not provide a reason but we knew it was politically motivated because that member has been a key organizer in anti-war and antiBu$h protests. Since 2:00 AM Friday morning they have completely surrounded our home. They will not let us come or go with any boxes or bags, or even school notebooks. They cut our internet access. They say they will be there until their warrant arrives so they can search our house.

The requested calls in solidarity at these phone numbers.
714.686.5621
909.469.5100
http://la.indymedia.org/

Articles:
Details about the arrestee
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