Two people have been arrested on suspicion of looting amid the chaos caused by wildfires across Southern California.
Fires continue to ravage large swaths of Los Angeles County, including several luxury homes home to A-list celebrities. Two people have already died, and authorities expect the death toll to rise further.
The fires have forced thousands of people to evacuate and authorities are now focusing some of their efforts on preventing looting in the affected areas.
One witness said he saw cars full of people grabbing things parked in the densely populated metropolis.
At a press conference Wednesday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed the arrest and expressed disappointment in having to respond to this crime in the midst of a devastating natural disaster.
“It's always sad when we have to say this, but part of our responsibility is to make sure no one loots or steals from our residents and community members who have already been impacted.” said Luna.
Stay up to date with NYP's coverage of horrific fires in the Los Angeles area
“And we are sad to report that two people were arrested this morning for looting.
“So if you're thinking of going into these areas to steal from our residents, I'll tell you one thing: you're going to get caught, you're going to get arrested, and you will be arrested and prosecuted. ”
The fire burned 3,000 acres in the Palisades, more than 2,000 acres in Eaton, and about 500 acres in Hearst.
They remain not fully contained, and authorities are struggling to hold their ground as water and supplies dwindle.
By Wednesday morning, more than 80,000 people in the region were under mandatory evacuation orders, with countless properties at risk of serious destruction.
More than 1,000 structures have already been destroyed, and more than 10,300 homes are still under threat from the ongoing fires, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
