Two alleged looters, one of whom was dressed as a firefighter, were arrested by L.A. County Deputy Sheriff’s Sunday on Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades.
It’s unclear exactly what time the arrests were made, but a local photographer reportedly spotted the pair on a scooter and a moped, one of whom was dressed in fire boots, jeans and a yellow fire jacket emblazoned with Cal Fire’s old acronym CDF, which stood for California Department of Forestry and Fire, photos of the arrest show.
“I saw them riding up PCH and them up,” Eric Fox told KTLA. “As I pulled up to the checkpoint to report them, the deputies had already detained them.”
Two crime prevention unit deputies from LASD’s Santa Clarita Station that were assisting with the Palisades Fire made the arrests, along with CHP and national guardsman, who were all manning the checkpoint along PCH.
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Two alleged looters, one dressed as a fireman were arrested in Pacific Palisades Jan. 12, 2025. (Eric Fox/Fox First On Scene Photography)
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Two alleged looters, one dressed as a fireman were arrested in Pacific Palisades Jan. 12, 2025. (Eric Fox/Fox First On Scene Photography)
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Two alleged looters, one dressed as a fireman were arrested in Pacific Palisades Jan. 12, 2025. (Eric Fox/Fox First On Scene Photography)
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Two alleged looters, one dressed as a fireman were arrested in Pacific Palisades Jan. 12, 2025. (Eric Fox/Fox First On Scene Photography)
Photos of the two individuals show them in handcuffs sitting on the sidewalk just outside the Getty Villa at 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, as deputies searched them.
Sheriff’s officials posted an image of the arrest on social media.
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No information was provided on the alleged looters’ identities or if they were caught with any stolen property.
Approximately 50 miles away in Irwindale, firefighters battling a small brush fire near Rivergrade Road and the 605 Freeway spotted an alleged arsonist starting fires. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Baldwin Park resident Ruben Montes, was taken into custody by police.
In Santa Monica, officials said that in the last five days 39 people have been arrested in evacuation zones, 10 of which were found in possession of burglary tools and are considered burglary suspects.
L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman is set to announce charges tomorrow against suspects in several recent arrests for arson and looting.
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