Crime & Safety
UPDATE: Arson Suspect Former Marine Imprisoned for Fires in Japan
The man is the one believed to have set possibly 20 fires in the North Hollywood area in July.
A man arrested on suspicion of torching a motor home in North Hollywood today was suspected in setting 20 or more recent arson fires in the area, and authorities identified him as a former Marine who was jailed for five years in Japan for setting restaurants on fire there.
Kurt Billie, 34, of North Hollywood, was arrested in the wake of a 4 a.m. fire in the 7500 block of Troost Avenue, Los Angeles police spokesman Richard French said. The Air Force Times newspaper identified him a former Marine who spent five years in prison for setting fire to several restaurants in Okinawa.
Investigators were following Billie and arrested him near Lankershim Boulevard and Valerio Street.
Find out what's happening in North Hollywood-Toluca Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A series of vehicle and structure fires broke out early July 21 through 24, starting around 3 a.m. each day. The fires broke between Lankershim and Laurel Canyon boulevards and Vanowen Street and Laurel Canyon Boulevard.
Billie was jailed at the Van Nuys Station in lieu of $250,000 bail.
Find out what's happening in North Hollywood-Toluca Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
