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Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman warned residents of looters and vowed to punish them Wednesday amid reports of looting in the county as firefighters battle to contain multiple wildfires raging in Southern California, including the massive Pacific Palisades fire.
“While the community is coming together to support one another, we are also aware of individuals targeting vulnerable victims to prey on this tragedy, seeking to exploit the vulnerability of those who have already suffered so much,” the DA said in a statement.
“Let it be made clear that those who seek to profit illegally from the pain and suffering of others – whether through robbery, fraud, theft, burglary or any other form of criminal activity – will not go unpunished.”
PALISADA FIRE: HEIDI MONTAG, SPENCER PRATT LOSE HOME; CELEBRITIES ESCAPE THE RITZY NEIGHBORHOOD
A firefighter works as the Palisades Fire burns a house on a hill next to Getty Villa on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, California. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
He promised to hold thieves and other criminals accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
“To those who are suffering, please know that you are not alone,” he said. “Thank you to our brave first responder teams who are working tirelessly to keep our community safe from this devastation. We appreciate you and all you do.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Wednesday that at least two people were arrested on robbery charges and warned potential copycats to stay away from evacuated homes.
The Palisades Fire burns a beachfront property on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 in Malibu, California. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
“If you are thinking of entering any of these areas to steal from our residents, you will be caught, you will be arrested and you will be prosecuted,” he said in a press briefing broadcast on FOX 11 Los Angeles. “Don’t do it! Stay away from these areas. It’s only for emergency workers and people who live there.”
At least five people died in fires across Southern California, according to authorities.
At least 130,000 people were ordered to evacuate their homes.
A house burns in the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
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California Governor Gavin Newsom The bureau said the state is sending more than 7,500 firefighters and support personnel to help Los Angeles as the fires continue to rage.
Neighboring states, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and New Mexico, also sent firefighting resources.
