Amid the wildfires devastating Los Angeles, nine individuals have been charged with looting in evacuation zones, adding another layer of hardship for residents struggling to recover. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges on Monday, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for those exploiting the crisis.
The Pacific Palisades, an affluent area hit hard by last week’s fires, has been a particular focus of looters. Charges include a burglary that netted $200,000 in valuables and another involving the theft of an Emmy statuette. Hochman warned potential criminals, saying, “The question is not if, but when, you will be caught.”
One suspect, Martrell Peoples, faces life in prison under California’s “three-strike” rule due to prior serious convictions. His accomplice, Demari Bell, could face over 22 years if convicted. Another suspect, Joshua Kaliel Love, fled police and was found carrying a dagger, window-breaking tools, gloves, and narcotics. Love was already on probation at the time of his arrest.
Additional charges involve six suspects accused of burglarizing homes in Altadena, including stealing the Emmy statuette. Authorities did not disclose the owner’s identity.
The fires, which have killed at least 24 people and displaced around 92,000, have left over 12,000 structures in ruins. To protect property, law enforcement has declared evacuation zones off-limits and deployed the National Guard to assist local police. However, arrests for looting continue to rise, undermining residents’ sense of security.
Kathryn Barger, chair of Los Angeles County’s Board of Supervisors, condemned the looters, stating, “Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis.”
Two suspects were caught on a Ring doorbell camera invading a home in Mandeville Canyon, a neighborhood threatened by the Palisades fire. This highlights the importance of technology in aiding law enforcement during emergencies.
As arrests and charges mount, officials hope the legal consequences serve as a deterrent. District Attorney Hochman reiterated that justice will be pursued for those exploiting a city already in the throes of disaster.
