Moscow under seige of auto arsonist
click above for gallery of hot, hot heat
Since last Thursday, more than 20 cars and trucks in the Russian capital of Moscow have been torched by an elusive car arsonist. Each of the fires is started the same way: flammable materials are pulled from a dumpster, stacked under the vehicle's 
wheel, doused with lighter fluid and then set ablaze. While the arsonist has hit vehicles in five different towns, all are thought to be the work of one individual. According to police, the culprit seems to be drawn towards gray cars (yes, the color), and has completely avoided Russian Ladas, perhaps as a demonstration of national pride. Instead, more expensive luxury imports are the hot targets. Authorities believe the misfit may be a schizophrenic registered at a psychiatric hospital. It sure sounds like a good place to start looking. Thanks for the tip, Andrew V!
Gallery: Moscow Vehicle Arsons
[Source: RAI Novosti, Photos from English Russia]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Yar 7:04PM (6/04/2008)
A Russian psychiatric hospital? Thats the most terrifying image I could possibly ever muster.
Reply
Dan 11:17PM (6/04/2008)
In Soviet Russia, car burns you!
Louis 7:14PM (6/04/2008)
Man, there are some sick people out there...
As an enthusiast this crime ranks just about as high as German's "final solution" back in WWII.
Reply
nist7 7:29PM (6/04/2008)
Burning 20 automobiles = genocide of about 4 million Jews?
Marc-O 7:41PM (6/04/2008)
*jaw drops*
psarhjinian 9:05PM (6/04/2008)
Zero to Godwin in just under fifteen minutes.
PJ 12:25AM (6/05/2008)
*crickets chirp*
PhillyB 1:24AM (6/05/2008)
As far as stupid comments go, this one ranks just about as high as Ger... oh, wait a sec.
Evotec 5:26AM (6/05/2008)
Drugs are bad...
Michael 7:18PM (6/04/2008)
I must agree with Yar.
Reply
aman 7:50PM (6/04/2008)
"seems to target luxury imports"
I realize that Hyundai is actually making some decent cars now, but that Santa Fe would hardly be described as "luxury"
Reply
Emil 8:00PM (6/04/2008)
Most imported cars in Russia are considered "luxury". You see this guys' actions are directed towards those who can afford imports and LOVE to show them off. And those rich, powerful folks tend to be selfish pigs, who don't give a damn about others.
Yar 8:29PM (6/04/2008)
@Emil
What?
With talk like that, I'm gonna guess that YOU are the escaped psychopath who's been torching these vehicles.
tankd0g 8:17PM (6/04/2008)
He knows better than to approach a Lada with an open flame.
Reply
stirlo 9:29PM (6/04/2008)
i give my support 100% if the guy is targeting Korean cars...
Reply
sam 9:45PM (6/04/2008)
The French are not impressed. That is a slow night in Paris.
Reply
Zane 10:26PM (6/04/2008)
Woooooow! GTA in real life!
Reply
steveo391 11:27PM (6/04/2008)
I don't know much about russian geography but how can he be burning cars in moscow (and holding it under seige)in one part of the article, and then be doing it in 5 different towns in the next paragraph?
Reply
Beastage 4:39AM (6/05/2008)
Well according the actual news item , we are dealing with 5 parts of Moscow rather than 5 cities... but after being to Moscow myself... Moscow is pretty damn huge
Beastage 4:39AM (6/05/2008)
And I don't think there is another city in the world with so many mercs, lexus, bmw, audi... etc