.. there is a serial arsonist in my neighbourhood (for real) ..
anybody know anything about them? how to catch them?
I would love to go vigilante on this creep
2006-08-24 06:55:05 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Usually a white male between 17 and 28, often single and still living with his parents. Like serial murders, serial arsonists are sexually motivated. They get off on watching things burn. They are sometimes very intelligent and often have jobs in the Fire Department. They are really hard to catch; it's only when they make a mistake that they are arrested.
Don't think you'll have any luck as a vigilante. Try organizing or joining a neighborhood watch group.. Write down the license plate numbers of every car in your neighborhood. If there's a fire, the cops will have a place to start investigating. At a fire, take pictures of everyone watching the fire - especially those enjoying it. Even if that fire turns out NOT to be arson, the arsonist often has a scanner and turns up to watch other fires he didn't set.
You can read books by former FBI profilers John Douglas and Robert Ressler about serial criminals.
2006-08-24 07:07:38 · answer #1 · answered by Danger, Will Robinson! 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
How do you know this person is a serial arsonist? There is more to the crime of arson than simply setting things on fire. There are also a variety of reasons a person would commit arson, with serial arson making up for a much smaller percentage of all arsons (like serial murder being far less frequent than other murder types).
Arson is the willful and malicious burning of property. If it's their own property, they're doing nothing wrong (unless they need a permit or something). Being a pyromaniac isn't a crime until they set something on fire that isn't theirs. The crime also has to be reported for police to do anything about it.
The best thing you can do if you suspect this person of serial arson is to give the police and fire department as much information and *proof* as you can, because there's nothing you alone have the power to do. Police have the equipment, training and manpower to investigate and charge arsonists.
2006-08-24 15:36:23 · answer #2 · answered by Protagonist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Become a detective for a while, get you a nice hide out where you know this person will strike next, lay in wait, then of course every good Detective needs his gear. Have the Cam corder,with night vision also. Then all you have to do is wait on him to strike and then let him strike a pose for the Camera. The Camera never lies. Good Luck to you and Good For you!
2006-08-24 14:54:03 · answer #3 · answered by SecretUser 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT become a vigilante for getting the creep. You'll end up in jail, and he will go free. Involve the police. Give them your suspicions. I had the same problem and they staked out my house and caught the culprit in the act. I found the police very helpful and anxious to catch the jerk as much as I did.
Good luck!!
2006-08-24 14:11:55 · answer #4 · answered by No one 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Don't go vigilante! There would be nothing worse than the look on his face when you end-up arrested. Let alone the danger.
My young nephew has been caught a number of times. He has since stopped (up until now)since he became old enough to prosecute. I would suggest setting up a bonfire in your garden preferably. leave it unlit. Film him setting it alight and get him prosecuted for trespassing. It has to be legal.
2006-08-24 14:25:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
they start fires......and they like it thats all I know about them but good luck...
2006-08-24 14:02:12 · answer #6 · answered by brookelynp2000 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋