Los Angeles Looting Surge Sees 29 Arrests, Including One Suspect in Firefighter Disguise
WPBN: A burglary suspect who allegedly attempted to disguise himself as a firefighter was among the approximately 29 persons who have been arrested in Los Angeles so far in connection with criminal conduct related to the ongoing wildfires, according to officials who made the announcement on Sunday.
Lieutenant Robert Luna, the sheriff of Los Angeles County, stated that 25 of those who were arrested were located in the vicinity of the Eaton Fire, while four others originated from the Palisades Fire evacuated zone.
“When I was out there in the Malibu area, I saw a gentleman that looked like a firefighter. And I asked him if he was okay because he was sitting down. I didn’t realize we had him in handcuffs,” Luna stated. “We are turning him over to LAPD because he was dressed like a fireman, and he was not. He just got caught burglarizing a home. So those are issues that our front line deputies and police officers are dealing with.”
Chief of Police Jim McDonald of the Los Angeles Police Department stated that one individual was taken into custody on Saturday night for breaching a curfew order in the city, and that three further individuals were taken into custody the night before in connection with an alleged burglary.
“There were three individuals in a vehicle. They were stopped. They were where they weren’t supposed to be. One had on a fire jacket and a fire hat. And he was additionally arrested for impersonating a firefighter,” McDonald stated. “We have people who will go to all ends to be able to do what it is they want to do to exploit the victims of this tragedy.”
The chief issued a warning that the curfew, which was in effect from Sunday night into Monday morning, remained in effect from six o’clock to six o’clock local time.
“Unless you’re a public safety personnel or some other disaster worker, you have no reason to be at these locations,” McDonald stated. “And if you are in those areas, you will be subject to arrest. Enforcing a curfew is an important tool to keep the burn areas and evacuated properties secure, keeping looters out. This effort also helps protect public safety personnel who are operating in darkness in very difficult conditions.”
In addition to that, he stated that there was a danger posed by downed power lines as well as poisonous compounds due to the combustion of plastics and other composite materials. Individuals who are interested in donating to victims were cautioned by the chief to exercise cautious and investigate charities to ensure that they are legitimate.
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In light of the fact that he has been in close communication with local, state, and federal prosecutors, Luna issued a warning to con artists who seek to make money off of the victims of the wildfires by committing burglaries or “white collar” crimes.
“They are all eager to prosecute anybody who is taking advantage of our residents during this very difficult time, whether it is a burglary or it is some kind of white collar crime in a scam or anything that you may be thinking about doing,” he stated.
In response to a reporter’s assertion that there was any hostility, Barger and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated that they have been in contact with high-ranking officials in the next administration.
“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 impacted neighbors. It is in seeing this hope that I am confident that our communities will recover and rebuild,” she stated.