As wildfires continue to ravage Southern California, local law enforcement has arrested several people who tried to take advantage of the situation.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to Deadline that two people were arrested at the deputy chief’s Brentwood home at 4:40 a.m. Saturday. In the end, they were unable to prove the individuals were involved in the robbery, but were detained on charges of “violating curfew.”
As of late last week, a curfew was imposed on evacuation zones from 6pm to 6am to limit looting and disturbances.
Since the fires broke out, officers have arrested 29 people across the affected areas, including for burglary, breaching the curfew and other violations.
Fires broke out in Pacific Palisades, Eaton Canyon, Malibu, the Hollywood Hills and other areas around Los Angeles County amid a “life-threatening and devastating” wind storm that began Tuesday.
The Palisades Fire burns near Brentwood on January 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Tayfun Coskun/Anatolia via Getty Images)
As of Sunday, at least 14 people have died in Southern California wildfires, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has received reports of 16 missing people related to the fires. Meanwhile, more than 105,000 people have received mandatory evacuation orders, with another 87,000 under evacuation warnings.
President Joe Biden, who extended his trip to Los Angeles on Wednesday to visit first responders and those affected, declared the fires a major disaster and directed the federal government to cover 100% of disaster assistance costs.
“More than 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate communities affected by wildfires in Southern California,” Biden wrote on X. “At least two people were killed. Many more were injured – including firefighters. It’s devastating. To the people of Southern California: we are with you.”
