Man Claims Role in SUV Firebombings

[smallprint]

from the LATimes
By Jessica Garrison, Jia-Rui Chong and Greg Krikorian, Times Staff Writers

A man claiming membership in the Earth Liberation Front has told The
Times that he helped firebomb a San Gabriel Valley car dealership and vandalize three others last month and said the Pomona man arrested by the FBI last week had nothing to do with the crimes.

Communicating via three e-mails and in two telephone interviews over the last three days, the man provided details of the attack that authorities said were known only by investigators and those involved in the incidents. He refused to give his name, say where he lives or agree to be interviewed in person.

snip

The caller said he contacted The Times on Monday by e-mail to make sure that Josh Connole was "not unfairly convicted." Connole, 25, an employee at a solar panel firm and an active antiwar protester, was released later Monday after authorities said they did not have enough evidence to charge him with last month's vandalism and arson fires that caused more than $1 million in damage.

Connole, who has denied any involvement or knowledge of the attacks, remains a suspect, according to West Covina police.

end

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-hummer18sep18,1,5051975.story?coll=la-home-leftrail

it looks to me like they arrested Connole just because he was a antiwar protester

[Ashcroft Kutcher]

1. Every night is Earth night

Hummers are crappy

[NewYorkerfromMass]

3. I agree!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=350541

[Ashcroft Kutcher]

4. They aren't nice, even if they burned water

they would still be lousy.

[FlemingsGhost]

2. Bullshit! Most unusual behavior from a supposed ELFer...

ELF is cloaked in extreme secrecy. The feds know very little about it, other than the group is "headquartered" somewhere in the Pacific Northwest (Eugene, OR is suspected.)

If Josh Connole was released because there is simply no case against him, why would ELF feel it needed to clear his name? And why now?

Too risky. This is a hoax... or part of a set-up.

[demdave]

5. In the criminal world it is a feather in your cap to get another criminal

off the hook. Any associate of the person who did this and was also in ELF would likely know details. This was a coordinated arson on three seperate locations in one night. It was planned and executed by more than one person.

Is Josh guilty? We may never know. Is this proof that he is not? No. It is simply proof that at least 1 person who knew about or assisted in the crime is still on the loose.

[smallprint]

6. Connole is innocent until proven guilty

NOT the other way around, although many people wish it were so.

Don't give in to the hysteria-- keep your mind open.

[demdave]

7. What part of we may never know do you not understand?

I think I made myself clear. I never said he was guilty or innocent. I simply mentioned another reason for someone to call and make the assertion that they were the guilty party.

[smallprint]

9. Sorry i meant my reply to #2

[htuttle]

8. Oh, now that's a hoot

"In the criminal world..."

You make it sound like ELF members are hanging out with the Bowery Boys waiting for something to fall off a truck. Do you really think they are hanging out with bank robbers and car thieves?

The 'confession' really sounds odd -- odder still that the authorities would give it any credibility. I don't know what to think of it in the end, but I can almost assure you it wasn't in order to get 'a feather in their cap' 'in the criminal world'...

:eyes:

[demdave]

10. Setting fire to other peoples property is a criminal act of arson

If you are doing in the name of ELF, and I don't think there is any dispute there, then they are a loose knit criminal community.

[FlemingsGhost]

11. No one needs to get Mr. Connole "off the hook."

That's just the point.

Either ELF has somewhat abandoned a well-demonstrated level of sophistication regarding their actions, or someone is working an angle.

[kwolf68]

12. I believe

The Earth Liberation Front is doing the bidding of right-wing ideology. I would not be surprised if the right was financing it in some way.

Remember before the fascists took over in Italy they were promoting street violence and were supported on the notion that they would end this violence that they ... of course started.

This isn't a new trick and every single time a SUV is blown up the anti-environmental movement gains momentum. You will find no bigger environmentalist than I am, but bombing shit isn't the way we win this battle.

And I believe most of us enviromentalists know this. That is why I believe there is something more sinister working beneath the ELF. Maybe they are anarchist radicals or something, but at the end of the day they are NOT helping the cause they supposed to support and they have to know that.