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    January 02, 2012

Arsonists Strike Targets in New York, LA

   VOA News
   Firefighters battle an arson car fire in Los Angeles , Jan. 2, 2012.
   Photo: AP
   Firefighters battle an arson car fire in Los Angeles , Jan. 2, 2012.

   Arsonists have struck targets in the two largest U.S. cities, causing
   damage and raising concerns but resulting in no serious injuries.
   In New York, authorities are investigating as possible bias crimes
   incidents that include a Molotov cocktail attack against a mosque in
   the borough of Queens.
   Authorities say the device struck the door of the Imam Al-Khoei
   Foundation building Sunday as about 80 of its members gathered for
   dinner. The attack was one of a string of such incidents. A similar
   device also hit a convenience store shortly before the mosque was
   targeted.
   Both the governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, and the mayor, Michael
   Bloomberg, condemned the attacks. The governor said they "go against
   everything we stand for as New Yorkers and Americans."
   Meanwhile, Los Angeles police on Monday arrested a man in connection
   with more than 50 arson fires that destroyed cars and buildings,
   causing an estimated $2 million in damage.
   The man, who has not yet been identified but resembled a "person of
   interest," had been caught on a surveillance videotape near the
   Hollywood neighborhood where most of the attacks took place.
   Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
   

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