A Monterey County man has been arrested in Europe, accused of international crimes that include terrorism and arson.The man, identified as Nathan Limesand of Toro Park, was being sought by local police for allegedly vandalizing several Wells Fargo banks in Marina, Del Rey Oaks, and San Francisco last year.But Limesand was arrested this month in Bulgaria, accused of taking part in the firebombing of a factory in the Czech Republic that manufactured military equipment and may have been linked to Israeli investments.Investigators say Limesand may have been radicalized.“I think when you start off with radicalization, you obviously start small, you know, and I think that starting small kind of got away with it, and that kind of makes you a little more courageous and involved in certain groups,” said Chris Johnson of the Marina Police Department.According to reports from the Bulgarian News Agency, which covered Limesand’s recent court appearances, the 26-year-old was arrested along with two others. Their motivation for the factory fire was reportedly to stop the war in Gaza.In court, Limesand reportedly said, “Palestine must remain free, outside the occupation of Israel. And it will be so.”On Thursday, local law enforcement expressed relief that Limesand is in custody before his alleged attacks turned more violent.“You know, you run the risk of seriously injuring people, killing people. What started off as minor vandalism here has now escalated to millions of dollars in destruction and potentially a loss of life, which was stopped, you know, by the overseas agencies that arrested him,” Johnson said.The vandalism charges Limesand may be facing locally are the least of his problems.Police from Marina and Del Rey Oaks said they plan to submit police reports to the district attorney’s office for review and possible charges. If charges are filed, an arrest warrant will be issued for Limesand.But if he is convicted in Europe of arson and terrorism, Limesand could be facing up to 20 years in prison.
A Monterey County man has been arrested in Europe, accused of international crimes that include terrorism and arson.
The man, identified as Nathan Limesand of Toro Park, was being sought by local police for allegedly vandalizing several Wells Fargo banks in Marina, Del Rey Oaks, and San Francisco last year.
But Limesand was arrested this month in Bulgaria, accused of taking part in the firebombing of a factory in the Czech Republic that manufactured military equipment and may have been linked to Israeli investments.
Investigators say Limesand may have been radicalized.
“I think when you start off with radicalization, you obviously start small, you know, and I think that starting small kind of got away with it, and that kind of makes you a little more courageous and involved in certain groups,” said Chris Johnson of the Marina Police Department.
According to reports from the Bulgarian News Agency, which covered Limesand’s recent court appearances, the 26-year-old was arrested along with two others. Their motivation for the factory fire was reportedly to stop the war in Gaza.
In court, Limesand reportedly said, “Palestine must remain free, outside the occupation of Israel. And it will be so.”
On Thursday, local law enforcement expressed relief that Limesand is in custody before his alleged attacks turned more violent.
“You know, you run the risk of seriously injuring people, killing people. What started off as minor vandalism here has now escalated to millions of dollars in destruction and potentially a loss of life, which was stopped, you know, by the overseas agencies that arrested him,” Johnson said.
The vandalism charges Limesand may be facing locally are the least of his problems.
Police from Marina and Del Rey Oaks said they plan to submit police reports to the district attorney’s office for review and possible charges. If charges are filed, an arrest warrant will be issued for Limesand.
But if he is convicted in Europe of arson and terrorism, Limesand could be facing up to 20 years in prison.