9 charged with looting in LA fires, 1 with arson, DA Hochman says

LOS ANGELES - Nine suspects have been charged with looting in the Palisades and Eaton fires evacuation zones, while another suspect is charged with arson in Azusa that is not related to the major wildfires, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Monday.

Hochman revealed the charges against the 10 individuals during a press conference alongside several law enforcement officials, including LA County Sheriff Robert Luna and LAPD Police Chief Jim McDonnell. Officials with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also present.

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"These crimes are appalling and represent a direct attack on our community during a time of unprecedented loss and vulnerability," Hochman said. "Let me be clear: If you exploit this tragedy to prey on victims of these deadly fires, we will find you and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law."

Arrest details

Two suspects - Martrell Peoples and Damari Bell - are charged with first-degree residential burglary, looting, and grand theft at a home in Mandeville Canyon on Jan. 8, according to documents. The suspects were caught on camera stealing over $200,000 worth of goods. An investigation tied the suspects back to an apartment in Koreatown, where they were arrested. A number of stolen items were recovered from that home, officials said. 

Travon Coleman is charged with one count of felony hit-and run. He is accused of attempting to evade police and crashing in the intersection of Figueroa and 5th Street on Jan. 9, hitting a car and injuring the driver, authorities said. He allegedly ran away from the scene but was later arrested.

Jose Escobar is charged with one count each of felony arson; arson during a state of emergency; and attempted arson. Escobar allegedly started a fire at Pioneer Park in Azusa on Jan. 10. The incident was caught on camera.

Rudy Salazar and Lucia Jilrara are charged with two counts each of first-degree residential burglary. The pair is accused of entering two homes in Altadena on Jan. 8 and stealing property.  

Roy Sims, Ryan Sims, Naquan Reddix, and Piere Obannon are charged with one count each of first-degree residential burglary. The three suspects are accused of entering an Altadena home and stealing property on Jan. 8.

Officials confirmed an Emmy Award was stolen from one of the Altadena homes and was later recovered.

"Do not go ahead and engage in looting, engage in Internet scams, engage in price gouging, do not violate evacuation orders, and do not commit any of these crimes in which people are trying to profit from the tragedy of the people who have suffered from these various fires," Hochman said.

‘You will be punished’

Last week, Hochman doubled down on the prosecution of anyone who violates the mandatory curfew orders or any other criminal activity relating to the fires.

"These criminals need to hear ... an unmistakably clear message that if you want to ... loot, if you want to commit burglary, if you want to commit grand theft ... you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted and you will be punished to the full extent of the law," Hochman said Thursday. "These acts are despicable."

An overnight curfew order was recently enacted, barring anyone without authorization from entering mandatory evacuation zones in the perimeters of the Palisades and Eaton fires. The curfew is in effect nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

"These curfews are in place to protect residents and ensure public safety. Anyone who violates them will face serious consequences," Hochman said. "Our office is fully committed to getting these criminals off the streets and putting them on alert: We will not tolerate this kind of lawlessness."
This comes after news last week that 20 people were arrested for allegedly looting homes and businesses in the fire evacuation zones. The following day, 18 additional arrests were made for violations such as drug possession, burglary and possession of burglary tools.

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"You cannot be in these affected areas. If you are, you are subject to arrest. That is important. We're not doing this to inconvenience anybody, we're doing this to protect the structures, houses people have left because we ordered them to leave," Luna said during a press conference.

Hundreds of law enforcement personnel are patrolling fire areas. Additionally, members of the California National Guard were also deployed to crack down on crimes committed in fire zones.

According to the governor's office, the Guard members "will be stationed at traffic control points to ensure the safety of the surrounding community. In addition, their support helps build capacity of local law enforcement to support their respective areas."

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