‘You will be held accountable’: 20 arrested on suspicion of looting during L.A. County wildfires
At least 20 people have been arrested on suspicion of looting during the wildfires raging in Los Angeles County, according to officials.
L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said at a Thursday news conference that sheriff’s deputies have arrested people in evacuation zones.
“I promise you, you will be held accountable,” she said. “Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis.”
The Sheriff’s Department will continue patrolling for looting and any other criminal activity.
Pacific Palisades workers are guarding homes — not against the flames, but against looters, who might see opportunity in an affluent neighborhood suddenly deserted.
L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed during the conference that deputies will continue to conduct roving patrols, be stationed at road closures and provide security to try to prevent looting and other criminal behavior.
“I’m gonna make this crystal clear to everybody out there: Over last night and this morning, we are up to 20 individuals who chose to go into our area and deprive these poor people who have been through so much of their property,” Luna said.
“When we have an evacuation order, by law, if you remain in that area, you are guilty of a misdemeanor,” he added. “If you commit certain crimes, it could jump up to a felony.”
Los Angeles County will likely implement a 6 p.m. curfew Thursday “within the specific impacted areas around the two fire areas,” Luna said. He said he hopes to have it in place by Thursday night or Friday.
Barger emphasized that the curfew is not to punish residents, but to keep the area safe. She said the curfew was requested by the Altadena Town Council.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he approved a request from L.A. County to deploy California National Guard personnel, bringing the total personnel to 8,000 working with local and federal law enforcement.
“Looting will not be tolerated,” Newsom said.
L.A. County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman also condemned looting.
Five people have died, but officials say the death toll is likely to be higher. More than 9,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed and at least 130,000 residents are under evacuation orders. Experts say L.A. is not out of danger yet and these fires have the potential to be the costliest wildfire disaster in American history.
“If you want to go ahead and loot, if you want to commit burglary, if you want to engage in grand theft, if you want to engage in these internet scams where you’re going to be taking advantage of people who are going to be seeking insurance and government benefits, you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted and you will be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.
Fire crews were continuing to fight the Palisades fire, which has burned more than 17,200 acres, and the Eaton fire, which has charred at least 10,600 acres in the Pasadena and Altadena areas.
Times staff writer Grace Toohey contributed to this report.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
