More than one person is believed to have set fires (Update)

Baltimore Sun ^ | December 8, 2004 | Sarah Schaffer and Greg Garland

[Graybeard58]

Authorities seek to question van driver in arson; Vehicle was seen leaving Charles Co. development; 'Potential witness, but possibly something more'

INDIAN HEAD -- More than one arsonist is believed to have set fires that destroyed 10 homes under construction and damaged 16 others in a Southern Maryland subdivision, investigators said today.

Deputy State Fire Marshall W. Faron Taylor said fire investigators also discovered 11 other arson attempts in the Hunters Brooke subdivision. Evidence collected at those houses, which were not damaged, is of monumental value to investigators, he said.

"We are strongly considering that this act had to have been perpetrated by more than one person," Taylor said.

However, he said, the investigation is "still in its infancy" and it is too early to speculate exactly how many people might have been involved or the motives for their action.

Police, meanwhile, are searching for the driver of a blue van that firefighters responding to the scene saw leaving the Hunters Brooke development as the early morning fires raged.

"Obviously, that person is a potential witness, but possibly something more," said Capt. Joe Montminy of the Charles County Sheriff's office.

Authorities still have not found a motive for fires, which destroyed

[Graybeard58]

Log on to the Baltimore Sun with my user name and password:

graybeard_58, Password 629629

[jocon307]

"Authorities still have not found a motive for fires,"

There are only 3 possible motives for a fire like this:

1. Eco-terrorism

2. Insurance scam

3. Disgruntled employee

If it turns out that more than one person started this fire options 2 and 3 are unlikely, if it's more than 2 they are almost completely eliminated.

[Bean Counter]

Lucky for our side that there is still an Urban Terrorism Joint Task Force still up and running. Didja knotice how fast the FBI and ATF were on the scene?

This is the same force that has been working out here in Oregon and Washington, and is responsible for the arrest of several arsonists in Oregon. Those boys are still in jail by the way. They were also involved with a wacko who was out trying to sabotage high tension lines here in Washington.

The ELF has always struck me as a very loosely defined outfit, and they make a lot of mistakes. If there's any evidence to be found, this group of people will find it.

[valkyrieanne]

I hope they *do* find the evidence - and I also hope it's not suppressed by prosecutors if it does turn out to be the work of eco-terrorists.

[abclily]

And after the court decision today, we know that the people who fund ELF can be held liable. Who funds ELF?

[jocon307]

"And after the court decision today, we know that the people who fund ELF can be held liable."

What court decision? Details, if you would be so kind.

I hate these slime, they are stupid, delusional, and dangerous. They are like the next generation "weathermen" and it is only a matter of time before they kill somebody.

The media gave them the puffy treatment for far too long and certainly helped to create the monster they've morphed into.

[TaxRelief]

Other possible motives:

4. Racism. (Mostly black, upscale neighborhood going into rural white area.)

5. Previous developer (resentment, jealousy, etc.)

6. Serial arsonist and/or volunteer fireman looking for "action".

7. Any combination of the above.

[abclily]

The court decision that found the funders of Hamas liable for the death of an American boy in Israel should add some accountability to funders of terrorists. We have a law from the early 90s that says funders of organizations can be held liable for the actions of the organizations. In this case the jury awarded 52 million dollars, and the judge tripled it to 156 million. 3 major organizations that raise money for Hamas in this country are going to be held liable for the boy's death.

Whoever is funding ELF and other homegrown terrorists should be made to pay the damages when property is destroyed.

[jocon307]

"Whoever is funding ELF and other homegrown terrorists should be made to pay the damages when property is destroyed."

AHA! Thanks for the explanation. I just quoted the last part because it was easiest, and also, of course, because I agree with it.

However, I think it might still be hard to collect. ELF and ALF are models of the lose-knit terrorist organization.

[TaxRelief]

This really is smelling more and more like Aryan stuff (WAR).

Did you know this was where Harold von Braunhut lived until his death a year ago?

[jocon307]

"Did you know this was where Harold von Braunhut lived until his death a year ago?"

Er, no. I never heard of him, is he some white supremacist guy?

You see the whole racist angle is not known to those from out of the area. And why would one think this housing is for non-white people anyway? Think I missed something about that angle.

[abclily]

Should not be hard to find their funders. Money leaves trails.

[TaxRelief]

Hunters Brooke subdivision, for some reason, has attracted well-to-do African Americans. Presumably, this group of homes is being touted in some social circles rather than others.

The development is reasonably upscale and probably will end up quite diverse by the time all 400+ homes are built, but the initial impressions, to the locals, may have been that it was primarily attracting blacks.

Harold von Braunhut was the wealthy inventor of comic book gags such as Sea Monkeys and X-ray Specs. He used a significant portion of his proceeds to fund white Aryan activities. Von Braunhut was forced to give up his White-supremicist activities in the mid-90's when he was publicly exposed by the ADL, which resulted in threats from his resellers to pull his products. Rumors are that he was simply "forced underground" to continue his activities in the privacy of his own 70 acre compound in Indian Head, Md.

Von Braunhut had a passion for public speaking and, unable to address conferences of young skinheads, he took up community "save the wildlife" causes instead. He became the spokesman for SWORD (Save Wildlife. Oppose Riviera Development) when the group--of useful idiots--formed to attempt to prevent the construction of an earlier subdivision.

[jocon307]

"Hunters Brooke subdivision, for some reason, has attracted well-to-do African Americans."

So are some of these houses finished and occupied? Seems to me that would make this arson and even worse crime if there was actual danger to people.

I just think arson is one of the worst crimes of all.

[TaxRelief]

They did not torch the occupied houses. I believe the contracts on many of the houses under construction were prepurchased by the owners.

[TaxRelief]

Looks like Adrienne has been reading our discussion:

http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20041209-102121-5040r.htm

:-)

[jocon307]

"No matter what you speculate was the cause of this arson, at its core, the message it sends is simple: We, whoever "we" are, don't want you, whoever "you" are, here."

Well, she's got that part right. For the rest of the piece I was craving a blue pencil, but never mind that!

Now we all REALLY want them to arrest someone, so we can see what their motive was. At least we know it wasn't Scott Peterson, as he is still in jail.