Approximately 29 people were arrested in Los Angeles so far in connection with ongoing fire-related criminal activity, including a burglary suspect who allegedly tried to disguise himself as a firefighter, officials said Sunday.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said 25 of those arrested were in the area of the Eaton fire, while four others came from the evacuation zone of the Palisades fire.
“When I was over there in the Malibu area, I saw a gentleman that looked like a firefighter. I asked him if he was OK because he was sitting down. I didn’t know we had him in handcuffs,” Luna recalled to the reporter. “We’re turning him over to the LAPD because he was dressed as a firefighter and he wasn’t. He just got caught in a home burglary. So those are the issues that our frontline deputies and officers are dealing with.”
LAPD Department Chief Jim McDonald said one person was arrested Saturday night for violating the city’s curfew order, and three others were arrested the night before in connection with an alleged burglary.
“There were three people in the vehicle. They were pulled over. They were where they shouldn’t have been. One had a fire jacket and a fire hat. And he was additionally arrested for impersonating a firefighter,” McDonald said. “We have people who will go to any length to be able to do what they want to do to take advantage of the victims of this tragedy.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna speaks during the Eaton Fire press conference on January 9, 2025 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
The warned the chief that a curfew of 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. local time remained in effect from Sunday night into Monday.
“Unless you’re public safety personnel or some other disaster worker, you have no reason to be in these locations,” McDonald said. “And if you are in those areas, you will be subject to arrest. Curfew enforcement is an important tool for preserving burn areas and evacuated property, deterring looters. This effort also helps protect public safety personnel who are working in the dark under very difficult conditions. ”
He also said there was a danger of downed power lines and toxic materials from burnt plastic and other composite materials. The chief warned people who want to donate to the victims to be careful and research charities to check their legitimacy.
Firefighters battle wildfires that have 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 issues a warning to scammers intent on cashing in on burglaries or “white collar” crimes against wildfire victims that he has been in close communication with local, state and federal prosecutors.
“Everybody is ready to prosecute anyone who is taking advantage of our residents at this very difficult time, whether it’s a burglary or some type of white collar crime in a scam or anything you might be thinking about,” he said. he said.
At a news conference, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Kathryn Barger said she sent a letter to President-elect Trump inviting him to visit fire destruction.
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 he can see the desperate need, but also the incredible opportunity, hope and perseverance of our affected neighbors. I am confident that it is in that hope that our communities will recover and rebuild,” she said. .
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Barger and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said they were both involved in communications with senior officials in the new administration, dismissing suggestions from a reporter that there was any animosity.
