23rd Car Arson Case in a Month Causes Dallas Citizens to Go on Patrol

[TXCharlie]

Heard thru the grapevine that some individuals, neighborhood watch groups and HOA's are sending out volunteer patrols, many of them armed, to try to stop this shit.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/033008dnmetcararsons.10f4e1be. html

2 more car arson cases investigated in Dallas' Oak Cliff
03:21 PM CDT on Saturday, March 29, 2008
By MATTHEW HAAG / The Dallas Morning News
mhaag@dallasnews.com


Two cars that burned Saturday morning in north Oak Cliff are probably part of the same string of automobile arsons that have occurred in southern Dallas over the last month, fire officials said.

The two cars were found several blocks apart around 7 a.m., Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Paul Lara said. The first fire was in the 100 block of Melba Street near North Beckley Avenue. The second was near West Ninth Street and North Zang Boulevard.
Also Online

Map: Previous car fires



Nobody was hurt and damage totaled $11,000, Mr. Lara said.
Fire investigators believe Saturday’s car fires are related to the 21 others that have occurred since Feb. 28, Mr. Lara said.

“They follow the same pattern,” he said. The cars were doused with gasoline and ignited by Molotov cocktails.

Last Monday, Dallas police and fire officials announced they would increase marked and unmarked patrols in Oak Cliff to combat the arsons.

“We’ve taken this as a very, very high priority,” Police Chief David Kunkle said Monday.

CrimeStoppers is offering a $5,000 reward in the case. Anybody with information about the fires can call the Dallas Fire-Rescue’s arson unit at 214-670-4312.

[Car 4]

Texas...got yourself a very nice little serial arson going there. Hope you can bag this pyro nut soon before he decides that houses make better fires.

Had a very bad one here in the early 90s. He was a serial spree arsonist....would get drunk, drive around and light between 5 and 7 per night and then hide and watch. Was a volunteer firefighter. He eventually killed 5 people and burned down millions worth of property before we caught him.

Google Paul Keller and read his story. ATF led the task force and I contributed two of my best guys. I was part of the command staff. This guy is now doing life without parole. They can be very bad news. You also gotta get the "citizens groups" under control before some poor schlub gets blown outta his socks for being in the wrong place. We had the same problem.

Car 4

[Cidp24]

We had one here a few years ago. An alcoholic that was burning cars and dumpsters while in blackouts. He was also a perv, caught by leaving porno photos and a note on a ladies car at a retail store. Left evidence all over the scene. I dont remember how he got tied into the fires after he got caught on the other.

[Ender]

Was a volunteer firefighter. He eventually killed 5 people and burned down millions worth of property before we caught him.

I've read more than once about arsonists being firefighters. Very interesting, and it shows that you never really know whats going on in someone's head, even if you think you know them.

[Ducky]

I've read more than once about arsonists being firefighters. Very interesting, and it shows that you never really know whats going on in someone's head, even if you think you know them.

Makes sense, really. Arsonists want to work with fire, necrophiliacs tend to work with the dead, etc etc. The goal is to enjoy your job, after all.

[Ender]

The goal is to enjoy your job, after all.

nicely put.

[Cidp24]

Makes sense, really. Arsonists want to work with fire, necrophiliacs tend to work with the dead, etc etc. The goal is to enjoy your job, after all.

What does that say about LEOs then?

[Ducky]

What does that say about LEOs then?

That they're fans of truth, justice, bullshit, and dispensing well earned beat downs?

[Cidp24]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Ducky again.

LMAO

[deputy29]

I got her for you.

[CTR man]

I've read more than once about arsonists being firefighters. Very interesting, and it shows that you never really know whats going on in someone's head, even if you think you know them.

Kind of reminds me of this guy. John Orr

He's the Glendale CA Fire Chief that was convicted of setting various fires that Joseph Wambaugh wrote about in Fire Lover. He is presently in prison serving life without parole.