California man arrested in SUV arsons

[LastDemInIdaho]

West Covina, Calif. — Federal agents arrested a 25-year-old peace and environmental activist in connection with arson fires and vandalism that did $1-million (U.S.) in damage to a Hummer dealership.

Joshua Thomas Connole, of Pomona, was arrested at home Friday, said Corporal Rudy Lopez, a West Covina police spokesman. He was booked for investigation of felony arson and vandalism and jailed $825,000 bail.
...
Words such as "ELF," "Fat, Lazy Americans" and "I pollution" were painted on the SUVs.

"ELF" stands for Earth Liberation Front, a loose association of militant environmentalists. The group, which has taken responsibility for other acts of arson and vandalism, claimed in an unsigned e-mail that the SUV fires were "ELF actions."

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030913.wburn0913/BNStory/International/

[Piperay]

1. I wouldn't want to be

that guy, they will probably charge him with terrorism and with all this new crap the chimp has pushed through he will never see the light of day again.

[LastDemInIdaho]

3. If he is guilty he should serve life

There are better ways to express an opinion other than burning private property and endangering firefighters.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

4. Life in Prison for burning cars?

Sure, he should possibly get a few years if convicted, but life in prison? That's a whacked-out and brutal idea.

[mbperrin]

7. Well, after all, we're talking

SUV's here!

Never mind the 2,000 missing children from Florida's Child Protective Service, and the several dead ones entrusted to their care. Jebbie's doin' what he can!

I mean, these are vehicles, baby!!!!

</total delusional episode>

[ablbodyed]

6. are you sure you're a real Democrat?

You're a MORE than a bit harsh, pally.

[disgruntella]

8. geez, you're a bit harsh as well

Who is a real Democrat, anyway?

[w4rma]

9. I don't think that whomever is convicted will get life. Probably <10 years

For comparison, white collar criminals who steel millions don't usually get but a couple of years.

It is my understanding that arson carries a sentence between about 5 and 30 years.

Also, life is way way way overboard for something that caused property damage (with little to no possibility of harm to people or animals) only. But, yes, this was a dumb way to make a statement and a dumb thing to do and whomever did it *should* be punished and deserves to be punished.

[aquaman]

11. Life in prison?

That is truly absurd. Serve time sure, but a life sentence does not fit the crime.

[Piperay]

12. IF he did it than he

burned cars, a building and vandalized some property and so he would be guilty of arson etc. Just wait though they will try and charge him with Domestic Terrorism because he is anti-chimp, anti-war and pro-environment, that is the scary part.

[neomonkey]

2. From LA Indymedia

http://la.indymedia.org/

"At 1 am PT Fri. 9.12.03 FBI and ATF agents approached the REGEN V CO-OP home and arrested Josh, a members. They would not provide a reason but we knew it was politically motivated because that member has been a key organizer in anti-war and antiBu$h protests. Since 2:00 AM Friday morning they have completely surrounded our home. They will not let us come or go with any boxes or bags, or even school notebooks. They cut our internet access. They say they will be there until their warrant arrives so they can search our house."


More info can be found on this site. The suspect vehemently denies involvement and many of his friends and acquaintances say he couldn't have been responsible. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. If anyone could be a perfect suspect for the Hummer arsons in the WOA (World of Ashcroft), this guy is it, he fits the "bill" to a T. Almost too obvious.

[IndianaGreen]

5. The probable cause was that he was anti-war and anti-Bush?

That makes all of us suspects as well!

I assume that if one were to put a "What Would Jesus Drive?" bumper sticker, that it would bring about a visit from the FBI.

[rustydog]

10. The FEDS bust a guy who burned hummers, yet can't seem to find

the Anthrax killer or Osama yet.

Funny, where Bush*s priorities lie.