Los Angeles burglary suspect dresses up as firefighter, 29 people arrested for robbery so far

About 29 people have been arrested in Los Angeles so far in connection with crimes related to the ongoing wildfires, including a burglary suspect who allegedly tried to impersonate a firefighter, officials said Sunday.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said 25 of those arrested were from the Eaton Fire area, while the other four were from the Palisades Fire evacuation area.

“When I was over there in the Malibu area, I saw a gentleman who looked like a fireman. I asked him if he was okay because he was sitting on the ground. I didn’t see that he was handcuffed,” Luna recalled. journalists. “We turned him over to the LAPD because he was dressed like a firefighter, and that’s not the case. He was just caught breaking into a house. So those are the issues that our deputies and police are dealing with.”

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonald said one person was arrested Saturday night for violating the city’s curfew, and three others were arrested the night before on suspicion of burglary.

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“There were three people in the car. They were stopped. They were where they shouldn’t have been. One was wearing a fire jacket and a fire helmet. He was also arrested for pretending to be a firefighter,” said McDonald. “We have people who will go to all levels to be able to do what they want to do to exploit the victims of this tragedy.”

The king warned that the local time of 6 pm to 6 am will continue to work from Sunday night until Monday.

“Unless you’re in public safety or disaster relief, you have no reason to be in these areas,” McDonald said. “And if you’re in those areas, you’ll be arrested. Curfews are an important tool in keeping burned areas and exits safe, keeping looters out. This effort also helps protect public safety workers who work in the dark. in very difficult situations.”

He also said there is a threat of downed power lines and toxic materials from burnt plastics and other composite materials. The king warned people who want to donate to victims to be careful and research charities to make sure they are legitimate.

Firefighters battle to contain the wildfires, which have burned thousands of acres and destroyed homes in Los Angeles on Jan. 12. 2024. (Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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Luna is issuing a warning to scammers looking to profit from burglaries or “white collar” crimes from wildfire victims who have been in close contact with local, state and federal prosecutors.

“They are all eager to prosecute anyone who is taking advantage of our residents during this difficult time, whether it is burglary or some type of crime related to fraud or anything you can think of doing,” he said. said.

At a press conference, Los Angeles County Board Chairwoman Kathryn Barger said she sent a letter to President-elect Trump inviting him to visit the devastation of the wildfires.

A view of burned homes and vehicles in the Pacific Palisades area during the Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 11, 2025. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“I look forward to welcoming President-elect Trump to our communities so that he can see the great need, but also the incredible opportunity, hope and patience of our affected neighbors. It is by seeing this hope that I hope that our communities will recover and rebuild,” he said.

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Barger and the Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, said they were both in discussions with senior officials in the incoming administration, rejecting the journalist’s suggestions that they were hostile.