Carsonist caught!

New York Times: For two weeks, Upper West Side residents have been puzzled by a series of arsons in which four cars were set ablaze. An investigation that started with the Fire Department grew to include police anticrime units and plainclothes officers.

At 3 a.m. on Thursday, the beefed-up law enforcement effort paid off, the authorities said.
Two police officers in an unmarked car, a sport utility vehicle, were on Central Park West near 83rd Street when they spotted a man ducking around parked cars and looking into them. After he stood near the rear of their S.U.V., they questioned him. He was carrying a loaded handgun in a shoulder holster — and he also had a teriyaki-sauce bottle containing gasoline, the authorities said.

The suspect, Christopher A. Buxo, 54, whose last known address was in Inwood, faces arson and firearms charges, the police said.

It was not clear what the motive was for the crimes. Rambling notes were left next to some of the cars that were set afire. They referred to “mind control” and sexual disrespect, and complained about the court system. During questioning, Mr. Buxo was “incoherent,” said Chief Fire Marshal Robert Byrnes.