Authorities have charged 10 individuals with crimes committed during the ongoing Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles.
The charges, announced by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman on January 13, include burglary, looting, and arson, with suspects accused of stealing over $200,000 worth of property during the devastating wildfires.
Martrell Peoples and Damari Bell face charges of first-degree residential burglary and looting after allegedly stealing goods from a home in the Mandeville Canyon area on January 9.
The stolen property reportedly includes items worth over $200,000, including a prestigious Emmy award.
Other suspects charged in connection with the fires include Rudy Salazar, Lucia Jilrara Perez, Roy Sims, Ryan Sims, Naquan Dewey Reddix, and Pierie Obannon, who are accused of stealing property from homes in Altadena during the Eaton Fire.
In addition, Travon Coleman is facing felony hit-and-run charges after allegedly injuring another driver while trying to evade police.
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Jose Gerardo Escobar has been charged with arson and attempted arson for attempting to ignite a large tree in a park in Azusa, though this charge is not directly tied to the wildfires.
L.A. police and fire authorities have been working tirelessly to prevent looting amid the chaos caused by the fires.
Assistant Chief Blake Chow assured residents that law enforcement will continue to leave “no stone unturned” in the investigation and that anyone caught exploiting the situation will face justice.
In response to the increasing incidents of looting and arson, authorities also implemented a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in evacuation and warning zones across Los Angeles County.
The curfew aims to deter criminal activity and ensure that residents are protected during this critical time.
The FBI is investigating a separate incident involving a drone that collided with a firefighting aircraft, causing significant damage. Authorities are urging the public to assist in identifying the operator of the drone.
