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A 24-year-old German national was arrested early Monday in connection with a four-day arson spree across Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley that caused nearly $3 million in damage to vehicles and buildings and sparked widespread fear among residents, officials said.

Harry Burkhart, who police say lives in an apartment in Hollywood, was spotted and pulled over by a reserve sheriff's deputy working only his fourth-ever shift. Burkhart was being held without bail on suspicion of arson following his arrest around 3 a.m. near Sunset Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue in West Hollywood.

His arrest capped four nights of fires in which dozens of cars were set ablaze and in many cases, flames jumped to carports and apartment units.

One firefighter was injured and one person suffered smoke inhalation, but there were no fatalities. In all, 52 fires were set.

"These were serious, potentially deadly crimes that needlessly endangered thousands of lives," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa during an evening news conference. "These crimes will not be tolerated in the city of Los Angeles, in the county, in the city of West Hollywood, or anywhere."

Police and fire officials with five law enforcement agencies expressed relief with the arrest, but cautioned that hundreds of pieces of evidence and interviews, as well as information culled from search warrants awaited review. And they asked residents to remain vigilant, in case copycat arsonists emerged.

Still, all agreed that Burkhart fit the description of a person of interest shown on surveillance video emerging from an underground parking garage off Hollywood Boulevard.

"We think this guy acted alone, but we're still investigating," Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said.

"I share the optimism that he was the lone actor, but I'm not in the optimism business."

He also said the investigation needed to proceed cautiously. Police would not release details of how the fires were

set, or what other clues led them to believe Burkhart was their main suspect.

"An arrest is not a prosecution and prosecution is not a conviction," Beck reminded reporters at the news conference. "We have a long way to go. But this is the best example that I've ever seen of cooperation between agencies. Four days ago, this task force didn't exist. Four days ago, this crime didn't exist."

Beck attributed Burkhart's capture to the decision to release surveillance video released on Sunday, showing a shadowy figure of a large man dressed in all black. Law enforcement described the man as having a receding hairline and a shoulder-length ponytail.

By 10 p.m. on Sunday, law enforcement had received reliable tips of Burkhart's identity.

"There was a dragnet put over this city, that's why he was caught," said Steve Whitmore, spokesman for the county Sheriff's Department.

Burkhart was driving a dark-colored Dodge van with Canadian license plates, which officials said resembled information released by the Joint Arson Task Force.

Shervin Lalezary, a Beverly Hills real estate attorney and part-time reserve sheriff's deputy who earns a $1 a year for his service, spotted Burkhart's van and pulled him over.

Lalezary and two other deputies were credited by Baca for calmly calling for backup that led to Burkhart's arrest.