Ex-Marine arrested for setting fires in Los Angeles

An ex-Marine suspected of setting some 20 fires in Los Angeles, and who was already jailed for similar crimes in Japan, was arrested Tuesday while setting fire to a mobile home, authorities said. Kurt Billie, 34, had been linked to a series of arson attacks on buildings and vehicles between July 21 and July 24, they said. He had previously spent five years in a Japanese prison for starting fires in January 2001 at seven bars and restaurants near the US military base in Okinawa, which fueled tensions between the close Pacific allies. Los Angeles Police had been tracking the suspect for one week, but were waiting to catch him in the act to arrest him, they said. Billie was jailed and his bond was set at $250,000.