Arrest made in taxicab torching during L.A. Lakers riot

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.