Arrest made for torching cab after 2010 Lakers victory

Arrest made for torching cab after 2010 Lakers victory

Published May. 9, 2012 9:26 a.m. ET

An intense two-year
police investigation has led to the arrest of an arsonist suspected of torching
a taxicab during a melee outside the Staples Center after the Los Angeles
Lakers NBA championship victory in 2010.

Investigators say Darren Cooper has
been charged with arson for his role in the June 2010 violence after the Lakers
defeated the Boston Celtics. Cooper's age and other details will be released at
a Wednesday news conference.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and police Chief Charlie Beck are expected to ask for public help in
identifying five other suspects.

Besides the torched cab, people started other
fires, rocked cars, smashed windows and threw objects at fans and officers.
There were 45 arrests in the days after the melee.

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