As if the destruction brought on by relentless wildfires were not enough, residents of Los Angeles are now dealing with brazen thieves taking advantage of the pandemonium.
In one instance, a looter dressed as a firefighter was apprehended in the Getty Villa neighborhood, which survived the Palisades Fire, the Daily Mail reported. Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department reportedly handcuffed the unidentified man along with another man who may have been an accomplice.
Amid the growing threats to the city, some residents have erected signs warning would-be looters that they will be shot.
So far, 68 individuals have been arrested in LA for looting offenses.
In some cases, private security firms have been brought in to help secure vulnerable neighborhoods.
“If you are thinking about coming into any of these areas to steal from our residents, I’m going to tell you something: You’re going to be caught, you’re going to be arrested and you’re going to be prosecuted,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna warned potential looters during a press conference last week, per the Daily Mail.
Luna also said that leveraging the National Guard would “help send a stronger message, keep people out of the impacted areas, so we don’t continuously victimize the people who have already been victimized.”
Unfortunately, many homeowners are prevented from returning to their houses due to the ongoing safety risk of active fires. As a result, some residents have been left unable to protect their property or determine if it’s been impacted by the fire or burglars.
Multiple fires have ravaged the region, with the Palisades Fire alone burning over 17,000 acres. Even A-list celebrities have been impacted, with the likes of Anthony Hopkins, Miles Teller, and Mel Gibson being just a few of the actors who lost their homes, the Daily Mail reported.
Curfews from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. remain in place for impacted areas.
“Simply stay out of the areas if you are not a first responder or have emergency business there,” said Luna. “We are very empathetic and sensitive to those needs, but your safety comes first. A lot of these areas still look like they were hit by a bomb.