Around 100 looters on scooters descended on fire-evacuated neighborhoods in Southern California, attempting to burglarize homes abandoned due to ongoing wildfires.
Looters try to cash in on wildfire devastation
According to an interview given by a local woman to KTLA on Thursday, her neighbor witnessed the group of suspects trying to break into several homes in their area.
“We just started seeing all these cars pull up,” Allison Agsten told the outlet. “Doors open, and groups of men are running up our street, going up to the doors of these houses … my next-door neighbor said, his quote, ‘there were like a hundred people that came up on scooters and were trying to get into any and all houses.’”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced that his department had apprehended 20 individuals suspected of looting in the areas affected by the fires.
“Last night and this morning, we are up to 20 individuals who chose to go into our areas and deprive these poor people who have been through so much of their property — absolutely unacceptable,” Luna declared during a press briefing on Thursday.
“You cannot be in these affected areas,” he continued. “If you are, you are subject to arrest.”
Approximately 400 personnel from the sheriff’s department have been dispatched to the regions ravaged by the fires to conduct patrols and watch for potential looters.
Sheriff Luna stated that it is illegal for unauthorized individuals to enter evacuation zones and noted that committing a crime within such areas could result in felony charges.
Deputies have been ordered to strictly enforce these restrictions by arresting individuals found trespassing in areas that were ravaged by the fires.
Looters will be arrested and prosecuted
California officials also vowed to pursue strict legal consequences for those caught looting or burglarizing during the wildfire crisis.
L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger voiced her outrage at such behavior, saying, “I promise you, you will be held accountable. Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis.”
District Attorney Nathan Hochman echoed this sentiment, warning would-be thieves of the severe penalties they would face if arrested. “
These criminals need to hear … an unmistakably clear message that if you want to go ahead and loot, if you want to commit burglary, if you want to commit grand theft … you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted,” Hochman stated during a media address.
He added, “For the people who have already been arrested, please know this is not going to end well. These acts are despicable.”
Governor Gavin Newsom weighed in with a firm stance against criminal activities in the wake of the fires. “Looting will not be tolerated.
These communities have suffered enough,” Newsom posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.
He also revealed the deployment of 8,000 California National Guard troops to aid in securing areas affected by the devastation.
“The National Guard deployment will bring our total on-the-ground personnel to 8,000. We will continue to use every resource available to keep our communities safe.”
By Friday, National Guard troops had arrived in California to assist in maintaining public order and protecting the areas devastated by the raging wildfires.
Guardsmen were seen patrolling impacted neighborhoods and providing assistance to residents.
“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has officially requested the support of the California National Guard for both fires,” Sheriff
Luna said, explaining the scope of their involvement. “They will be assisting us with traffic control and critical infrastructure protection.”
Drones interfere with firefighters
The crisis also prompted warnings about the dangers of interfering with firefighting efforts, particularly through the use of drones.
Hochman cautioned members of the public against flying drones in affected areas, stating that they “will be arrested, you will be prosecuted, and you will be punished to the full extent of the law,” if caught violating the no-fly restrictions.
This follows an incident where a drone, flown unlawfully, struck and damaged a Super Scooper aircraft leased to combat the wildfires in the Los Angeles region.
The collision caused a hole in the plane’s wing, requiring repairs and temporarily grounding the aircraft. Officials said the sorely needed damaged plane won’t return to service until at least Monday.
Two Super Scoopers imported from Canada were brought in specifically to assist in aerial firefighting operations in Pacific Palisades and other parts of Southern California.
“The most important thing to know is that if you fly a drone at one of these brush fires, all aerial operations will be shut down,” L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone stressed. “And we certainly don’t want to have that happen.”
Individuals convicted of flying drones during firefighting missions could face up to a year in prison.
Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned that anyone obstructing firefighting procedures might be fined as much as $75,000.
