Santa Monica Police make dozens of arrests in Palisades Fire evacuation zones
Officials with the Santa Monica Police Department arrested 39 people in evacuation zones over the last five days.
Between Jan. 7, the day the Palisades Fire erupted, and Jan. 12, SMPD Lt. Erika Aklufi told KTLA that 10 of the arrests were for burglary.
Three suspects were taken into custody in one incident on 18th Street, while four others were arrested in the 200 block of Euclid Street and another two at 10th Street and Carlyle Avenue. Six of the burglary suspects were in possession of burglary tools, Aklufi added.
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One of 10 unidentified burglary suspects arrested in evacuation zones in Santa Monica between Jan. 7 and Jan. 12, 2025. (SMPD) -
One of 10 unidentified burglary suspects arrested in evacuation zones in Santa Monica between Jan. 7 and Jan. 12, 2025. (SMPD) -
One of 10 unidentified burglary suspects arrested in evacuation zones in Santa Monica between Jan. 7 and Jan. 12, 2025. (SMPD) -
One of 10 unidentified burglary suspects arrested in evacuation zones in Santa Monica between Jan. 7 and Jan. 12, 2025. (SMPD)
The remaining arrests were for curfew violations, outstanding warrants, parole and probation violations, drug possession and driving violations.
“This is a significant increase in the normal number of arrests we would have in the neighborhoods,” Aklufi said in an email. “Considering the circumstances, our officers did an amazing job saturating the evacuation areas and tamping down criminal activity.”
None of the 39 people arrested are residents of Santa Monica.
The lieutenant said that more information about these incidents will be released in the coming days, including the burglary suspects’ identities.