Los Angeles burglary suspect disguises himself as a firefighter, 29 arrests for looting so far

About 29 people they were arrested in Los Angeles for criminal activity related to the ongoing wildfires, including a burglary suspect who allegedly tried to disguise himself as a firefighter, officials said Sunday.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said 25 of those arrested were in the Eaton Fire area and four others were from the Palisades Fire evacuation zone.

“When I was in the Malibu area, I saw a man who looked like a firefighter. I asked him if he was okay because he was sitting. I didn’t realize we had him in handcuffs,” Luna recalled. reporters. “We’re turning him over to the LAPD because he was dressed like a firefighter and he wasn’t. He’s just been caught breaking into a house. So these issues are handled by our frontline deputies and police officers.”

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonald said one person was arrested Saturday night for violating the city’s curfew order and three other people were arrested the previous evening in connection with an alleged burglary.

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“There were three people in the vehicle. They were detained. They were where they shouldn’t have been. One of them was wearing a fireman’s jacket and a fireman’s hat. He was additionally arrested for impersonating a firefighter,” McDonald said. “We have people who will do anything to be able to do what they want to do to take advantage of the victims of this tragedy.”

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna speaks during the Eaton Fire press conference on January 9, 2025, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

The the boss warned that a 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. local time curfew applies from Sunday evening to Monday.

“Unless you are a public safety or other disaster response worker, you have no business being in these places,” McDonald said. “And if you find yourself in these areas, you face arrest. Curfew enforcement is an important tool for keeping areas of burned and evacuated properties safe and keeping looters away. These efforts also help protect public safety personnel operating in the dark under very challenging conditions.”

He also said there were threats from downed power lines and toxic materials from burned plastics and other composite materials. The chief warned people wishing to donate to victims to exercise caution and investigate charities to check their legality.

Firefighters battle wildfires that have burned thousands of acres and destroyed homes in Los Angeles, January 12, 2024. (Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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Luna warns fraudsters who intend to profit from burglaries or “clerical” crimes against wildfire victims that it is in close contact with local, state and federal prosecutors.

“Everyone is eager to pursue anyone who is taking advantage of our residents during this very difficult time, whether it’s a burglary, whether it’s a type of white collar crime through fraud, or whatever else you can think of,” he added. he said.

At a press conference, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Kathryn Barger said she sent a letter to President-elect Trump inviting him to visit damage caused by fires.

View of burned houses and cars in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood during the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, California, January 11, 2025. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“I look forward to welcoming President-elect Trump to our communities to see the desperate need, but also the incredible opportunity, hope and perseverance of our impacted neighbors. Seeing this hope gives me confidence that our communities will recover and rebuild,” she said.

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Barger and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said they both spoke with high-level officials in the new administration, dismissing suggestions from a reporter that there was any animosity.