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LAPD releases video of possible LA arsonist

Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters extinguish numerous cars on fire in a carport in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 2, 2012.
Firefighters extinguish numerous cars set on fire in a carport in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 2, 2012. AP Photo/Dan Steinberg

(CBS) LOS ANGELES - Police have released video of a man they believe may be involved in the dozens of car fires that ravaged the Hollywood area in the three nights before the new year.

According to CBS Los Angeles, this "person of interest" is being described by police as being in his late 20s or early 30s, with dark hair, a receding hairline, and a ponytail. In the video, he appears between 5' 8" and 6' 3" tall, burly, and walks with a limp.

Police now believe at least two people are responsible for more than 40 fires. Samuel Arrington, 22, was arrested early Thursday morning for allegedly setting fire to a garbage can and trying to ignite a truck's fuel tank. Arrington is suspected of setting at least two other fires and is being held on $75,000 bail.

CBS Los Angeles also reports that the federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agency is now assisting the LAPD with the investigation.

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