“100” thieves on scooters attempted to rob multiple homes evacuated during the wildfires sweeping Southern California, a woman told KTLA on Thursday.
Alison Agusten, who lives in the Los Angeles area, said her neighbors witnessed the suspects trying to “break into every house” in the neighborhood. Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom tries to stop robbery announced 8,000 California National Guard troops will be deployed to secure fire-ravaged areas Thursday after Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said said Police arrested 20 people on suspicion of looting the affected areas.
“We just started seeing all these cars parked,” Agusten told the magazine. “Doors are opening and groups of men are running up our street, approaching the doors of these houses…My next-door neighbor said, in his words, ‘They’re coming in on scooters. , there were about 100 people trying to get something “in every house.” ”
Hundreds of looters invade Palisades neighborhood
“A car stops, a door opens, and a group of men run to the door of the evacuated house. 100 people came on scooters, trying to get into every house.”pic.twitter.com/F86N1AzmlI
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) January 10, 2025
“Our cameras showed three men on scooters turning around as soon as they saw the police,” said KCAL News reporter Madisen Keavy. said Wednesday. “I spoke to the owner of the house. She said she thought she would be leaving soon but was making sure the house was as safe as possible.”
Amid the wildfires that have displaced some 180,000 Southern Californians, Luna said, multiple California authorities have promised tough penalties for those convicted of theft and robbery. (Related: DeSantis tells media that if all-white Newsom were a Republican he would have been ‘nailed to the wall’ over wildfires)
“They’re going to be considering going to prison. They’re going to be considering going to prison. They’re going to try to give back whatever they stole. They’re going to look at community service. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. interview With NewsNation’s Ashley Banfield. “There’s no punishment that we don’t consider for them, because basically I think these crimes are despicable.”
“The days of the DA’s Office sitting on the sidelines are over. We want to bring justice and we will do so,” Hochman continued.
“I promise you, you will be held accountable. Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Berger said in a speech. press conference Thursday.
“Looting cannot be tolerated. These communities have suffered enough,” Newsom said. Posted X Thursday. “The deployment of the National Guard brings the total number of ground personnel to 8,000. We will continue to utilize all available resources to keep our communities safe.”
Despite reports in local media about the looters, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told the Daily Caller News Foundation that police had “not heard of any thieves on scooters.” “There are no such reports in our area,” he said.
Los Angeles County Coroner reported As of Thursday night, 10 people had died in the fire. Firefighters have achieved an 8% containment rate for the Palisades Fire, the largest of six major wildfires. According to To the Los Angeles Fire Department.
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