A vehicle was firebombed outside the home of a university researcher on Saturday, prompting Chancellor Gene Block to issue a statement condemning the attackers.
There were no reports of injuries, said Phil Hampton, a university spokesman.
Animal rights activists claimed responsibility for the firebomb in a statement released through the North American Animal Liberation Press Office, which speaks on the behalf of the activists.
They threatened in the statement to continue to harass the targeted researcher ““ whose name was not released because of the ongoing investigation – until he stops his research.
Block responded to the threats on Monday.
“The actions of extremists who use violent and illegal tactics are utterly reprehensible and beyond contempt,” he said in his statement.
He added that university police would “continue to work with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to bring to justice those responsible for such unconscionable acts.”
As a result of the attack, a security presence has been placed at the researcher’s home, Hampton said.
University police are working with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to arrest those responsible for the firebombing, he said. Police have no leads yet but encourage anyone with information about the attack to come forward.
UCLA and law enforcement agencies are now offering $445,000 for information leading to the arrests of individuals responsible for committing violent acts against UCLA researchers, according to a university statement. This reward was increased by $25,000 following Saturday’s attack.
The FBI and UCLA offered an initial reward of $110,000 in July 2007 for information about violent activists. The amount has increased following attacks by activists since then and remains unclaimed, according to a UCLA statement.
Saturday’s firebombing was the latest in a series of attacks against UCLA researchers and vanpool vehicles by animal rights activists.
Attacks include four firebombings since the beginning of 2008, which destroyed four vehicles and damaged the front door of one researcher’s home, according to Daily Bruin archives.
University police have since increased measures to apprehend violent activists, and UCLA obtained an injunction last April to help protect researchers and their families.
Despite these efforts, no arrests have been made in connection to any attacks at UCLA.