Categories: U.S.

Los Angeles wildfires: Authorities battling looters on top of blazes

close Video

We need all hands on deck, Wildland Firefighters union rep warns

National Federation of Federal Employees representative Steve Gutierrez joins ‘Fox & Friends’ to discuss resources needed to put out the Los Angeles fires.

Join Fox News for access to this content You have reached your maximum number of articles. Log in or create an account FREE of charge to continue reading. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News’ Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. Please enter a valid email address. By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News’ Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. Having trouble? Click here.

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 struggle to contain multiple wildfires raging in Southern California, including the massive Pacific Palisades fire.

“While the community rallies to support one another, we are also aware of the individuals who are targeting vulnerable victims to preying on this misfortune, seeking to exploit the vulnerability of those who have already endured so much,” the DA said in a statement.

“Let it be clearly known that those who seek to illegally profit from the pain and suffering of others—whether through looting, fraud, theft, burglary, or any other form of criminal activity—will not go unpunished.”

PALISADES FIRE: HEIDI MONTAG, SPENCER PRATT LOSE HOME; CELEBRITIES FLEE RITZY NEIGHBORHOOD  

A firefighter works as the Palisades Fire burns a house on the hill next to the Getty Villa Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, Calif.  (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

He vowed to hold thieves and other criminals accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

“To those who are enduring hardship, please know that you are not alone,” he said. “Thank you to our brave first responders who are working tirelessly to protect our community from this devastation. We appreciate you and everything you are doing.”

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Wednesday that at least two people had been arrested on looting charges and warned potential copycats to stay out of evacuated homes.

PACIFIC PALISADES INFERNO FORCES THOUSANDS TO FLEE CALIFORNIA HOMES; GOV. NEWSOM DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY 

The Palisades Fire burns a beachfront property Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Malibu, Calif.  (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

“If you are thinking of coming into any of these areas to steal from our residents, you’re going to get caught, you’re going to be arrested, and you’re going to be prosecuted,” he said at a news briefing broadcast on FOX 11 Los Angeles. “Don’t do that! Stay out of these areas. It’s only for emergency workers and people who live there.”

At least five people have died in the fires across Southern California, according to authorities.

At least 130,000 people have been ordered to evacuate their homes.

A house burns in the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.  (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said the state was sending more than 7,500 firefighters and support personnel to assist Los Angeles as fires continue to rage.

Neighboring states, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and New Mexico, have also sent firefighting assets.

Related Topics

Share

Recent Posts

What really happens on the dark web, and how to stay safe

The dark web often feels like a mystery, hidden beneath the surface of the internet…

2 hours ago

A supercomputer chip going to space could change life on Earth

A computer chip so powerful that it fuels today's artificial intelligence is about to leave…

7 hours ago

Fox News AI Newsletter: AI job losses hit hard

IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER: - Amazon to cut around 14K corporate jobs- Senate Republican demands Google…

1 day ago

Windows 10 users face ransomware nightmare as Microsoft support ends in 2025 worldwide

Microsoft's blog recently gave a firm warning: unsupported systems aren't just outdated, they're unprotected. That…

1 day ago

Nike partners with robotics company to create world’s first motor-powered footwear system

Nike has taken a bold step into the future with Project Amplify, the world's first…

1 day ago

183 million email passwords leaked: Check yours now

A massive online leak has exposed more than 183 million stolen email passwords gathered from…

2 days ago