Molotov cocktails thrown at cars in Lynn; calling card left

LYNN – An arsonist who threw Molotov cocktails at two parked cars in Lynn on Sunday left a calling card behind on one of the cars – a seven of clubs playing card tucked underneath the windshield wiper, according to Inspector Don Baron of the Lynn Arson Squad.The playing card was found stuck to a 2007 Toyota Camry that was parked at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Webster Street after it burst into flames shortly after 8 a.m., Baron said.”It was a seven of clubs,” he said. “Written with a Sharpie on the card were a capital letter ‘I’ and a capital ‘S.'”On the back of the card were the words, “Irish Settlers,” according to Baron.”I don’t believe this is any type of organized gang,” he said. “This appears to be a totally random act.”Baron and others are investigating three incidents in which Molotov cocktails were thrown at parked cars around the city early Sunday morning.Baron said a car was vandalized with spray paint at the corner of Webster Street and Massachusetts Avenue a few weeks ago with a black Irish shamrock drawn on it. He believes the arsons and vandalism are random acts but is very concerned about what could happen if the suspect isn’t caught.”This is a recipe for disaster,” Baron said.At about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, police were called to 175 Ocean St. for a possible Jeep fire. According to police spokesman Lt. William Sharpe, the Jeep Wrangler had not caught fire, but a witness observed a man throw a flaming object at the car and run away.The object was described as a glass Corona beer bottle that had broken into pieces after bouncing off the Jeep.”The Molotov cocktail bounced off the soft cover of the Jeep, landed on the street and burst into flames,” Sharpe said.The witness came forward to police at the scene and said he heard screeching tires, causing him to look out the window of his home, police said.Two more incidents were reported at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Webster Street at about 5:15 a.m. and 8 a.m.A glass Corona bottle was found near a parked car at the 5:15 a.m. incident but no vehicles caught fire, Baron said.The police and fire departments were called back to the same location at 8 a.m. after the arsonist successfully caught the Camry on fire, Baron said.A witness told police he heard breaking glass, looked out his window and saw a heavy set white male wearing all black clothing walking away from the burning vehicle, Sharpe said.”With the above information, units canvassed the area looking for the suspect or suspects,” Sharpe said. “We spent a considerable amount of time? but had negative results.”Baron said a state arson reward program gives up to $2,000 to people providing authorities with information leading to the conviction of arsonists.Anyone with information should call Lynn Police at 781-595-2000.