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Approximately 29 people were arrested in Los Angeles so far in connection with criminal activity related to the ongoing wildfires, including a burglary suspect who allegedly tried to impersonate a firefighter, officials said Sunday.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said 25 of those arrested were in the area of the Eaton fire, and four more came from the evacuation zone of the Palisades fire.
“When I was there in the Malibu area, I saw a gentleman who looked like a fireman. I asked him if everything was okay because he was sitting. I didn’t know we had handcuffs on him,” Luna told reporters. “We’re turning him over to the LAPD because he was dressed as a firefighter and he wasn’t. He was simply caught burglarizing a house. So our first deputies and policemen deal with these issues.”
LAPD One person was arrested Saturday night for violating the city’s curfew, and three others were arrested the night before in connection with the alleged theft, said Department Chief Jim MacDonald.
“There were three people in the car. They were pulled over. They were where they weren’t supposed to be. One was wearing a fire jacket and a fire hat. He was also arrested for impersonating a firefighter,” McDonald said. “We have people who will go to great lengths to be able to do what they want to do to exploit the victims of this tragedy.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna speaks during an Eaton Fire news conference on January 9, 2025. at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
The – warned the boss that a curfew from 6pm to 6am local time remained in effect from Sunday evening into Monday.
“Unless you’re a public safety officer or other disaster worker, you have no reason to be in those places,” McDonald said. “And if you are in these areas, you will be subject to arrest. Curfews are an important tool to ensure the safety of fires and evacuated property by keeping out looters. These efforts also help protect public safety personnel working in the dark. in very difficult conditions.”
He also said there was a threat from downed power lines and toxic materials from burnt plastics and other composite materials. The chief warned people who want to donate to 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 warns scammers looking to profit from wildfire victims of theft or white-collar crime that he has been in close contact with local, state and federal prosecutors.
“They are all looking to prosecute anyone who is taking advantage of our residents at this very difficult time, whether it’s burglary, whether it’s some white collar fraud or anything you might be thinking of doing,” he said. . said.
At a press conference, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Catherine Barger said she had sent a letter to President-elect Trump inviting him to visit. destruction by forest fire.
A view of burned homes and cars in the Pacific Palisades area 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 resilience of our neighbors who have been affected. I am confident that our communities will recover by seeing this hope and rebuild,” she said.
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Barger and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said they had both reached out to senior officials in the incoming administration, dismissing suggestions from a reporter that there was some animosity.
