13-11-2025 (LOS ANGELES) Amidst the devastating wildfires ravaging Southern California, authorities apprehended a brazen looter who masqueraded as a firefighter to plunder a residence in the fire-stricken Malibu area, law enforcement officials revealed yesterday.
The perpetrator was amongst 25 individuals arrested during the ongoing wildfire emergency that has forced mass evacuations across Los Angeles County, leaving countless homeowners anxious about their abandoned properties.
In a press briefing, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna detailed the incident, which occurred within the Palisades Fire evacuation zone extending into Malibu. Luna described how he personally encountered the suspect, who had donned firefighting gear as a disguise. “Upon spotting him seated nearby, I approached to check on his welfare, unaware at that moment that our officers had already detained him,” Luna explained.
The suspect was subsequently transferred to Los Angeles Police Department custody after officials confirmed he was falsely presenting himself as a firefighter whilst allegedly burgling a residence. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell later disclosed that the accused was operating with two accomplices, who had been prowling the devastated neighbourhood.
Authorities have implemented a strict dusk-to-dawn curfew throughout the affected regions of Pacific Palisades and Altadena, where twin infernos have decimated entire communities. Law enforcement officials emphasised that any unauthorised presence in evacuation zones between 18:00 and 06:00 would result in immediate arrest.
Chief McDonnell highlighted that the suspect faces additional charges for impersonating a firefighter, an offence carrying a potential 12-month prison sentence. “It’s particularly disturbing to witness individuals going to such lengths to exploit disaster victims,” McDonnell remarked.
The crisis has displaced over 100,000 residents across multiple evacuation zones spanning 40,000 acres in the Greater Los Angeles area. The death toll has reached 16, with numerous persons still missing. The fires have obliterated more than 12,000 structures, including hundreds of residential properties.
