The 30-year-old man named as “Pablo” was arrested after dousing the property in gasoline in the small town of Wieliszew just outside the Polish capital Warsaw.
In the Hollywood blockbuster ‘The Dark Knight,’ the character of The Joker played by Heath Ledger says: “It's about sending a message. Everything burns.”
One local told the Super Express daily newspaper: “We’ve had problems with him from the start, since the moment he moved in.
“He’s threatened us many times. He beat one resident up. We’ve caught the stench of alcohol off him several times.
“His behavior wasn’t normal. He punched my husband in the face; threw him to the ground. We went to the police, but they said if there are no injuries, there’s not a case.”
‘Pablo’s’ neighbors told the paper he had burned his own house down by dousing it in gasoline while dressed as The Joker.
“He probably drew the eyes and fake smile on with a crayon or marker,” another neighbor told Super Express. “During the fire, he ran around asking everyone whether they were filming ‘Na Wspólnej’ [a popular TV soap opera] here.”
Shortly after starting the fire, ‘Pablo’ apparently yelled “Now they’re going to put it out.”
Legionowo police confirmed they had arrested a 30-year-old local resident and that an investigation was in progress that could lead to charges carrying an eight-year jail term.
