Los Angeles authorities say a couple has been arrested for impersonating firefighters after they tried to enter an evacuation zone with a fake fire truck nearby Palisades Fire area.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Fox News Digital that Dustin Nehl, 31, and Jennifer Nehl, 44, were arrested for impersonating a firefighter and entering an evacuation zone.
Officials said an LAPD patrol unit was driving through the area of the Palisades Fire with fire personnel and noticed a fire truck that did not appear to be legitimate.
Officers approached the deputies and told them that individuals in a fake fire engine had attempted to enter the evacuation zone.
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The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office said two people from Oregon were arrested for posing as firefighters near the Palisades Fire. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department/AP Photo/Jae C. Hong/AP Photo/Ethan Swope, File)
After approaching the truck, officials said deputies noticed both suspects were wearing swerving gear.
The occupants claimed to be from the “Roaring River Fire Department” in Oregon. However, deputies learned that the department was not legitimate, and the truck was purchased at auction.
The authorities confiscated the fire engine.
Officials said the two passengers were also wearing CAL-Fire shirts under their turnout gear, and had helmets and radios.
The couple admitted to deputies that they entered the evacuation zone.
Authorities have discovered that Dustin Nehl has a criminal history in Oregonincluding crimes and arson.
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The ‘Palisades Fire’ near the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on January 11, 2025. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Investigators will present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for review on Tuesday.
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As of January 12, about 29 people were arrested in Los Angeles so far in connection with ongoing wildfire-related criminal activity.
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.
Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Tips and story ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
