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As wildfires ravage Los Angeles County, law enforcement officials are grappling with a disturbing wave of criminal activity targeting evacuated homes. The crisis has prompted a strong response from local authorities.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna disclosed during a Thursday morning press briefing that law enforcement had apprehended 20 individuals suspected of looting fire-damaged and abandoned properties.
“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 told reporters.
🚨 JUST IN: Multiple looting arrests have already been made during the Los Angeles fires, per LA County Sheriff
These people are the scum of the earth.
Will the George Soros prosecutors ACTUALLY hold these lowlifes responsible for once? pic.twitter.com/rmSQRxZOvH
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 8, 2025
The sheriff issued a stern warning to potential criminals, emphasizing that law enforcement would show zero tolerance for trespassing or looting in evacuation zones, with deputies maintaining an active presence in affected areas.
“If you are in one of these areas, and you do not belong there, you are going to be subject to arrest,” Luna said.
“I hope that is as clear as I can make it. Our first choice isn’t to do enforcement. It’s not to make an arrest. It’s to help people. But if people choose to commit crimes, they’re going to be held accountable.”
Luna indicated that arrest numbers are likely to increase as the situation develops and patrols intensify.
“This continues to be a fluid and evolving crisis, and the numbers that we release throughout this incident are going to fluctuate. Anything we say is subject to change.”
“We’re getting information from our boots on the ground. It’s very chaotic out there because it’s still so fluid. So forgive us if we give a number and then have to modify it.”
“I talked about the 20 arrests that have been made so far. Unfortunately, I do expect that number to go up. We are not going to tolerate that activity. We have substantially increased our deployment of deputies at the fixed traffic posts and are working to limit and clear out any unauthorized vehicles or people in these areas.”
🚨Just in: 20 people were arrested for allegedly looting homes in evacuated fire zones, the Los Angeles County Supervisor Barger confirms pic.twitter.com/bjYUdGR4e3
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) January 9, 2025
The sheriff’s office also addressed the legal consequences for residents who disregard evacuation mandates, noting that such actions could result in misdemeanor charges.
The enforcement strategy focuses on protecting lives rather than penalizing victims. Luna noted that when individuals refuse to evacuate, law enforcement personnel must undertake dangerous rescue operations.
“As you know, when we have an evacuation order by law, if you remain in that area, you are guilty of a misdemeanor.”
“Our deputies are constantly putting their lives on the line,” Luna said. “And every example I’m given is a result of somebody who chose not to evacuate.”
