The Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced a curfew for those in areas with mandatory evacuations.
“A curfew order has been established for the Palisades and Eaton Fire areas in all mandatory evacuation zones,” Luna said, adding, “This curfew will be strictly enforced and is being taken to enhance public safety, protect property, and prevent any burglaries or looting in the area that the residents have evacuated.”
“You cannot be in these affected areas. If you are, you are subject to arrest. That is important,” he said.
If an individual breaks the curfew, they may face a fine of up to $1,000 or jail time, CBS News reported.
The curfew comes as looters have reportedly broken into evacuated homes.
Resident Allison Agsten said, “We just started seeing all these cars pull up, doors open, groups of men running up our street, going up to the doors of these houses.”
“My next-door neighbor said, ’There were like 100 people, that came up on scooters and were trying to get into any and all houses on this street,’” Agsten added.
At least 20 people have been arrested for looking in the evacuation zones, KTLA reported.
“Twenty individuals chose to go into our areas and deprive these poor people who have been through so much of their property,” Luna told reporters.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said, “These criminals need to hear an unmistakable message: that if you want to go ahead and loot, if you want to commit burglary, if you want to engage in grand theft … you will be arrested,” adding, “You will be prosecuted, and you will be punished to the full extent of the law.”
