LOS ANGELES, CA – Police have announced over 30 arrests in connection with criminal activity within the evacuation zones of the Palisades Fire over the past week. Authorities said the arrests, made between January 7 and January 12, include violations of local emergency orders and the city and county curfews enacted during the wildfire crisis. The curfew, aimed at preventing looting and ensuring public safety, is in effect from sunset to sunrise across affected areas.
According to law enforcement, 10 suspects were arrested for burglary, while the remaining individuals face charges including drug possession, driving violations, outstanding warrants, and parole and probation infractions. Two of those arrested were found to be carrying concealed firearms, further raising concerns about potential threats to public safety in the already devastated neighborhoods.
Police noted that six suspects were found with burglary tools, and two individuals were caught using the Watch Duty app on their phones to monitor evacuation zones in real-time, allegedly to exploit the chaos caused by the wildfires. None of the individuals arrested are residents of Santa Monica, officials added.
“This is a significant increase in the normal number of arrests in neighborhoods within the evacuation zones, particularly in the North of Montana (NOMA) and Wilshire-Montana (WILMONT) areas,” a police spokesperson said in a statement. “Our dedicated team of officers did a phenomenal job saturating the evacuation areas and tamping down criminal activity.”
The arrests highlight ongoing concerns about looting and opportunistic crimes during the wildfire crisis. Law enforcement agencies have ramped up patrols and checkpoints across Los Angeles County to deter potential criminal activity and enforce evacuation and curfew orders. Additional support has come from the California National Guard, which has been assisting with traffic control, manning checkpoints, and securing critical infrastructure in the fire zones.
In addition to the arrests for burglary and other violations, three individuals have been taken into custody for unauthorized drone activity near the fire zones. The use of drones poses significant risks to firefighting efforts, as they can interfere with aerial firefighting operations and endanger lives. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has reiterated that flying drones in or near active fire zones is prohibited and will result in criminal charges.
Authorities continue to urge residents to comply with evacuation orders and curfews to ensure safety for both residents and first responders. “The swift action by law enforcement has sent a clear message: crimes committed during this state of emergency will not be tolerated,” the police spokesperson said.
As the Palisades Fire continues to devastate parts of the region, officials emphasize that public cooperation and vigilance are essential in helping communities recover and preventing further criminal exploitation of the tragedy.
