In Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades, over 40 individuals have been charged with crimes related to looting amidst devastating fires that began on January 7, which have claimed at least 24 lives and destroyed over 12,300 structures. None of the suspects lived in the evacuation zone, indicating they traveled to take advantage of the chaos. Arrests included individuals with burglary tools and those in vehicles with stolen plates. Law enforcement reported significant increases in criminal activities in evacuation zones. Meanwhile, the fires continue to threaten the area, exacerbated by high winds and dry conditions, with significant parts still uncontained.
Dozens of people accused of looting homes and businesses in Los Angeles’ posh Pacific Palisades enclave during the deadly fire are pictured in police mugshots.
Since the fire broke out on January 7, police have charged more than 40 detainees with a variety of crimes, including robbery and drug possession.
Remarkably, none of those arrested actually lived in the evacuation zone and appear to have traveled with the intention of taking advantage of the dire situation.
Santa Monica police said each suspect was arrested within the evacuation zone, most of them violating the sunset-to-sunrise curfew.
The fire has claimed at least 24 lives and residents are now weary as they brace for another 24 hours of hellish weather conditions as the fire is expected to take a new turn.
Four fires have burned more than 40,000 acres in Los Angeles’ most affluent neighborhoods, gutting 12,300 structures, including the homes of A-list celebrities and popular restaurants.
The gallery of shame shows those accused of taking advantage of the destruction to steal belongings from evacuated homes and comb through the rubble for hidden treasure.
Santa Monica police said officers detained 10 robbery suspects inside the Palisades fire evacuation area, and six of those arrested were found to be in possession of “robbery tools.”
Police said three of the 10 robbery suspects were photographed, including Joshua Kariel Love, who had a dagger, a window-breaking tool, a mask, gloves, drugs, and money. It was discovered that he was in possession of a window punch.
The gallery of shame includes those accused of being used in the genocide, including Joshua Kariel Love (row 2, row 1), Miguel Ángel Dorantes (row 2, row 3), and Dominic Pacheco Magana (row 1, row 3). The people who were treated are shown.
Santa Monica police said officers detained 10 robbery suspects inside the Palisades fire evacuation area, and six of those arrested were found to be in possession of “robbery tools.”
Santa Monica police said each suspect was detained within the evacuation zone, most of them violating the sunset-to-sunrise curfew.
Kariel Love, who was on probation, ran away and tried to evade police before being arrested by officers in an alley behind the 600 block of San Vicente Boulevard.
Dominic Pacheco Magana, 18, and Miguel Angel Dorantes, 22, also committed residential burglaries after being pulled over for driving a van with stolen registration stickers. He has been charged with conspiracy.
Officers searched the vehicle and found black Nike nylon gloves, a black ski mask, three large cargo totes and a black T-shirt.
The Watch Duty app was open on Pacheco’s phone. This app monitors fire zones and evacuation zones.
“Based on the items in the vehicle, the location of the parking lot, the ski masks, and the fact that they had removed their license plates to conceal their identities and avoid detection, officers arrested the two men as being in a mandatory evacuation zone.” There was a specific intent to commit robbery,” police said.
Santa Monica police announced that two people were also arrested on suspicion of carrying a concealed handgun.
The remaining detainees were arrested for violations including drug possession, driving violations, outstanding warrants, and parole and probation violations.
“We are seeing a significant increase in the number of regular arrests in the evacuation zone neighborhoods of Montana and northern Wilmont,” Santa Monica Police said in a statement.
Since the fire broke out on January 7, police have charged more than 40 detainees with a variety of crimes, including robbery and drug possession. Fires continue across Los Angeles.
Some suspects were stopped for vehicles with fake license plates (pictured above)
Palisades Fire Out of Control, Fire Helicopter Drops Water on Hell
“Our dedicated team of police officers did an incredible job filling evacuation zones and quelling criminal activity,” the ministry said in a media release.
Two people have also been arrested on arson charges, including Ruben, who was taken into custody Sunday on suspicion of arson in Irwindale, about 26 miles from Altadena, where the deadly Eaton Fire is still raging.・Suspect Montes (29) is included.
Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva, a Mexican national, was also detained after he was allegedly videotaped carrying a yellow torch before being encountered by residents in Calabasas, west of Beverly Hills.
Extremely dry weather conditions this week with prolonged drought, dry vegetation and strong Santa Ana winds that reached 80 mph in some areas created a “perfect storm” for the fires.
Dry winds Tuesday morning reached 40 mph in coastal and valley areas and 50 mph in mountainous areas, said National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Hall.
Wind gusts of up to 105 mph are expected to continue until midday Wednesday as firefighters struggle to contain the blazing sun.
The Palisades Fire had burned 23,700 acres as of 10 a.m. Tuesday, but was only 17% contained.
The Eaton Fire, just north of Pasadena, had burned more than 14,000 acres and was only 35 percent contained by 10 a.m. Tuesday.
The Hearst Fire north of San Fernando is nearly contained with 97 percent containment after burning 800 acres.
The autofire is the fourth major fire in Ventura on Tuesday. The latest inferno has burned 56 acres so far and is 0 percent contained, according to the California Fire Heat Map.