Fourth arson attempt at Calif. tobacco store

[Oeditpus Rex]

Apparently, it isn't just abortion clinics anymore.

PLEASANT HILL, Calif. -- A Pleasant Hill cigarette outlet – the target of three previous arson attempts – was heavily damaged early Thursday by a suspicious fire and explosion that blew out the store’s windows, authorities said.

...

“This store has been a target of arson in the past. We have had three different fires set in the past. They were small devices on the outside like Molotov Cocktails.”

http://www.ktvu.com/news/18539015/detail.html

[petronius]

1. That cop is pretty lucky that he didn't get suspicious a minute earlier

It will be interesting to find out if this is based on an anti-smoking sentiment - but given that 4 is a lot of attempts and I've never heard of any other anti-smoking violence, my early money is on insurance fraud or a major personal grudge against the owner...

[Ichingcarpenter]

3. It could be who owns the store too

and a hate crime.

[Ichingcarpenter]

7. We've had Arabs buyout the three cigarette discount stores here

in Central California.... I know Pleasant Hills and its not known for its diversity.

[petronius]

13. Has there been mention of the ethnicity of the owner?

A bias crime would be another possibility, certainly...

[Ichingcarpenter]

15. I didn't see it in the televise report

I smoke and noticed some snide comments
from others when there was a change of ownership here.

So I was just conjecturing.

[Warpy]

2. Somebody who lost a relative to lung cancer, maybe

which is a little more personal than some guy who's afraid a mere woman will undo the work of his holy rod.

Still, it's a coward's way of dealing with the world and risks the lives of firefighters and anyone who just happens to be in the neighborhood.

This jerk needs to be caught.

[seabeyond]

4. you see the similarity, yet hurriedly dismiss them. no. one and the same. our anti smoking people

need to reflect a bit on the "outrage". that simple. but they wont. that is how hate works.

[Warpy]

11. Dismiss them?

You need to reread my post.

Thank you.

[kestrel91316]

5. I have a client who runs a tobacco shop, and he has really been complaining a lot

lately about taxes and poor sales making it impossible to make a living at it (oh, boo hoo). The police need to take a look at this shop's books to see if the owner up there has a motive to commit arson/insurance fraud. Because the shop down here in LA can't be the only one in trouble financially.

Disclaimer: Smoking-related disease killed my beloved father prematurely and all 4 grandparents eventually. Tobacco peddlers get ZERO sympathy from me.

[BR_Parkway]

10. They do however get the benefit of whatever product or service you

provide? Interesting.

[kestrel91316]

16. There is no rationale for me to forbid clients who work in tobacco shops.

I'm a cat veterinarian.

I have been sorely tempted at times to forbid RW clients, however.

[TahitiNut]

6. Rorschach. Supposition and conjecture will betray one's world view in this, right or wrong, imho.

"Tobacco Nazis" will probably be inclined to think it's a hate crime perpetrated by a smoker (who 'probably' broke in and stole cigarettes and then lit the fire) or by an "evil owner" seeking to defraud insurance while smokers (and non-zealot non-smokers) will be inclined to regard it as an act by a militant anti-tobacco activist.

It's another one of those 'news' stories with very few dots and lots of ways to connect them.

[Regret My New Name]

8. I think it was North Korea.

[Regret My New Name]

9. eom

[petronius]

12. I think it was that UFO that flew over the Inauguration yesterday - the ETs

needed smokes for the long trip home. (Why did they light the fire? They're aliens, man - who knows why they do what they do?)

:)

[Iggo]

14. It certainly couldn't be a protection racket.

They've never been known to throw bombs through store windows.

[nolabels]

17. The next time you see a sign that states "NO SMOKING".....

you will know that some will be taking it more seriously than others :hide: