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Approximately 29 people have been arrested in Los Angeles so far in connection with criminal activity related to the ongoing wildfires, including a robbery suspect who allegedly attempted to disguise himself as a firefighter, officials said Sunday.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said 25 of those arrested were in the Eaton Fire area, while four others were from the evacuated area of the Palisades Fire.
“When I was around in the Malibu area, I saw a man who looked like a firefighter. And I asked him if he was okay because he was sitting down. I didn’t realize that we had him handcuffed,” Luna recalled. reporters. “We’re turning him over to the LAPD because he was dressed like a firefighter, and he wasn’t. They just caught him burglarizing a house. So those are issues that our officers and frontline cops are dealing with.”
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonald said one person was arrested Saturday night for violating a curfew order in the city, and three others were arrested the night before in connection with an alleged robbery.
“There were three individuals in a vehicle. They were detained. They were where they shouldn’t be. One was wearing a fire jacket and a fire hat. And he was also arrested for impersonating a firefighter,” McDonald said. “We have people who will go to great lengths to be able to do whatever they want to exploit the victims of this tragedy.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna speaks during an Eaton Fire press conference on January 9, 2025 at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
He boss warned that the 6 pm to 6 am local time curfew remained in effect from Sunday night until Monday.
“Unless you’re public safety personnel or some other disaster worker, you have no reason to be in these places,” McDonald said. “And if you are in those areas, you will be subject to arrest. Enforcing a curfew is an important tool in keeping burned areas safe and properties evacuated, keeping looters away. This effort also helps protect security personnel public that operates in the dark under very difficult conditions.”
He also said there was the threat of downed power lines and toxic materials from burning plastics and other composite materials. The chief warned people who want to donate to victims to be careful and research charities to verify their legitimacy.
Firefighters battle to contain the wildfires, which burned thousands of acres and destroyed homes in Los Angeles on January 12, 2024. (Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Luna warns scammers seeking to profit from theft or “white collar” crimes against wildfire victims that he has been in close communication with local, state and federal prosecutors.
“Everyone is eager to prosecute anyone who takes advantage of our residents during this very difficult time, whether it’s a robbery or some type of white-collar crime in a scam or whatever they’re thinking about doing,” he said. saying.
At the press conference, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Kathryn Barger said she sent a letter to President-elect Trump inviting him to visit forest fire devastation.
A view of burned homes and cars in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood during the Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles, California, on January 11, 2025. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“I look forward to welcoming President-elect Trump to our communities so that he can see the desperate need, but also the incredible opportunity, hope and perseverance of our affected neighbors. It is in seeing this hope that I am confident that our communities will recover and rebuild “, said.
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Barger and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said they have both been in communication with high-level officials in the incoming administration, rejecting suggestions from a journalist who claimed there was animosity.
