Man Claims Responsibility For Calif SUV Arsons - Report
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
LOS ANGELES (AP)--A self-proclaimed member of an eco-terrorism group has told a newspaper that he helped torch a West Covina, Calif., car dealership last month and committed vandalism at three other dealerships.
The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday that it had received three e-mails and conducted two telephone interviews over three days with a man who claimed membership in the Earth Liberation Front, a loose association of militant environmentalists.
The man provided details of the $1 million arson and vandalism attack that authorities said would be known only to investigators and those involved in the incidents. The man also said he contacted the Times via e-mail to make sure that Josh Connole, 25, was "not unfairly convicted."
Connole, an anti-war protester and member of a solar-powered cooperative home dedicated to peace and environmentalism, was arrested Friday by federal agents, but released Monday after authorities said they didn't have enough evidence to charge him with arson and vandalism.
Connole, of Pomona, Calif., remains a suspect, according to West Covina police officials.
The FBI's Los Angeles office had no comment on the caller's claim of responsibility.
The Times reported that law enforcement sources said details of the attacks match previously unreported evidence.
For example, a Euler's Theorem math formula was spray-painted on one of the SUVs to distinguish the participants' work.
"We thought it would be nice to have something a little kooky just in case this happened," the man said, adding that he finds the formula "beautiful."
The caller also said Corona beer bottles were used for most of the Molotov cocktails and red, white and blue spray paint was chosen to vandalize the vehicles.
A parts warehouse at a West Covina dealership was gutted by arson Aug. 22 and flames also destroyed 20 Hummer H2 sport utility vehicles. Another 20 Hummers and several other SUVs were significantly damaged by fire and vandalism.
Three other dealerships and at least four privately owned vehicles in the area also were damaged by vandals.
"Fat Lazy Americans," "I (heart) pollution," and "ELF," which stands for Earth Liberation Front, were painted on the SUVS, along with other slogans.
Updated September 18, 2003 7:51 a.m.
Klaus
"God made some men big and some men small, but Sam Colt made them all equal."
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