By Amid the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, authorities have arrested at least 29 individuals for looting evacuated homes. Among those detained was a man impersonating a firefighter while burglarizing residences in the Malibu area. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed the arrest, stating, “We were turning him over to LAPD because he was dressed like a fireman and he was not. He just got caught burglarizing a home.” In response to these incidents, officials have implemented a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in affected areas, including Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Malibu, to deter further criminal activity.
Violators of the curfew may face fines up to $1,000. Additionally, National Guard troops have been deployed to bolster security and prevent looting in fire-ravaged neighborhoods. The wildfires have resulted in at least 24 fatalities and the destruction of thousands of homes, leaving many residents displaced and vulnerable. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger condemned the looters, stating they are “targeting vulnerable communities” during this crisis. Authorities continue to patrol evacuated areas to protect properties and maintain order as firefighting efforts persist.
