LEAD: "I hate America" says German suspect in Hollywood arson spree

Jan 2, 2012, 23:14 GMT

Los Angeles - Police in Los Angeles arrested a German native Monday in connection with an arson spree in Los Angeles.

According to ABC News, the suspect may have been motivated by a deportation hearing last week against his mother, and he told authorities upon his arrest: 'I hate America.'

The suspect was arrested after police released a surveillance video of a man leaving the scene of one of the arsons. The video showed a white male of medium height, aged between 20 and 30, with receding blond hair and a long pony tail.

'I feel very good that we've got the right guy,' Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said. '(The suspect) had the right stuff in his van, and we are very confident we found our man.'

The suspect was arrested following another dangerous night in which 11 blazes were set. The spate of arsons began Friday and included 55 fires causing an estimated 2 million dollars worth of damage. Most of the fires were set in parked cars, and some subsequently spread to garages and apartment buildings.

The only casualty was a fireman who was lightly injured while suppressing one of the fires on Friday. But dozens of residents were forced to evacuate their homes because of the fires.