| Arsons that destroyed two new homes, and attempts at several others this week, were the work of the environmental extremist group the Earth Liberation Front, a statement released by the group claims. The ELF "press office" has not received direct communication from the arsonists, but "a note found at the site of one the fires was signed 'ELF' and reportedly contained statements condemning suburban developments," the statement reads. "In absence of other information, this note does indicate a claim of responsibility for the fires and fire attempts by ELF activists," according to the e-mail sent to the media. FBI agents have been investigating the possibility of ELF involvement since the note was found Tuesday at the Cedars Crossing development, about 13 miles from Lobo Ridge, the site of the arsons, FBI spokesman Ray Lauer said Friday. "It's a rambling letter, and ELF indirectly took responsibility for the fires," he said. "It doesn't say specifically, but it's tough to read it and think it wasn't done for a domestic terrorist cause." Investigators have not released the exact contents of the note. A witness said it contained an anti-development message. "If it says ELF, and it is within the guidelines of what they stand for, it's ELF," said Gary Perlstein, a professor of criminal justice at Portland State University in Oregon who has studied and written extensively about the elusive extremist group. ELF activists have claimed responsibility for dozens of incidents across the country, including torching new developments in California and Michigan last year. |