Amid the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County, law enforcement has reported a sharp rise in looting, including the arrest of a burglar dressed as a firefighter.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed that at least 29 individuals have been arrested for looting in the areas affected by both the Palisades and Eaton Fires. One arrest involved a man impersonating a firefighter while burglarizing a home.
“I saw a gentleman who looked like a firefighter, and I asked if he was OK because he was sitting down, and I didn’t realize we had him in handcuffs,” Luna explained, according to CBS News. “We were turning him over to the LAPD because he was dressed like a fireman and was not. He just got caught burglarizing a home.”
In response to the surge in criminal activity, Luna has called for additional National Guard support. Currently, 400 National Guard troops are assisting local law enforcement to deter looting. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Sunday that an additional 1,000 National Guard members would be deployed to assist with public safety efforts.
“The men and women of the California National Guard have been on the ground since day one—not only fighting fires but also assisting with public safety efforts in communities devastated by these fires. We thank them for their efforts to keep our communities safe,” Newsom said in a statement.
To further address public safety concerns, a nightly curfew has been implemented in Los Angeles from 6 pm to 6 am. Curfews have also been imposed in areas such as Santa Monica, Malibu, and other regions under evacuation and warning orders. Violating the curfew could result in misdemeanor charges and fines of up to $1,000.
The wildfires, which have displaced over 200,000 residents and destroyed thousands of structures, continue to strain emergency resources as law enforcement works to maintain order amid the chaos.
