Nearly 20 suspected looters arrested around Los Angeles fires, sheriff says

Los Angeles police said they arrested up to 20 suspected looters around properties evacuated due to the fires. At a Thursday press conference, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna outlined the security efforts around the fires, including patrols, manning road closures, and providing security for those evacuating. The efforts had borne fruit with the arrests […]

Los Angeles police said they arrested up to 20 suspected looters around properties evacuated due to the fires.

At a Thursday press conference, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna outlined the security efforts around the fires, including patrols, manning road closures, and providing security for those evacuating. The efforts had borne fruit with the arrests of suspected looters.

A firetruck passes after the Palisades fire ravaged a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

“Over last night and this morning, we are up to 20 — 20 — individuals who chose to go into our areas and deprive these poor people, who have been through so much, of their property,” he said.

Anyone still in an evacuation zone would be charged with a misdemeanor, Luna said, and anyone caught engaging in criminal activity would be charged with a felony.

LA County Sheriff Robert Luna says 20 arrests have been made for criminal behavior like looting:

"Unfortunately I do expect that to go up. We're not going to tolerate that kind of activity." pic.twitter.com/C3RE0EEaxW

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 9, 2025

“If you are in one of these areas and you do not belong there, you are going to be subject to arrest,” he continued. “I hope that is as clear as I can make it because … our first choice isn’t to do enforcement. It’s not to make arrests. It’s to help people, but if people choose to commit crimes, they’re going to be held accountable.

Luna said information is fluid, and he expects the number of arrests to increase.

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman issued a warning to possible looters at a Thursday press conference, promising to prosecute them to the “full extent of the law.”

“The reason I want to send this warning now is I don’t want any mistake later, where somehow they thought, ‘Oh, it’s not a big deal.’ It’s a huge deal. These acts are despicable, and we will prosecute them with maximal (sic) punishment,” he said, adding that he hoped the message was heard “loud and clear.”

At least 130,000 residents are currently under evacuation orders. The fires struck wealthy areas in Palisade and Hollywood Hills — prime targets for looting.

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The wildfires are the most destructive in Los Angeles history, destroying thousands of structures and burning tens of thousands of acres of land. At least five people have been killed.

Most of the fires have not been contained and are set to get worse. While decreased winds over Wednesday night reduced the spread and allowed for aircraft to fly crucial firefighting missions, strong winds are set to resume by Thursday afternoon and continue into Friday. Winds of up to 70 mph are expected.