First appearance on Fox: California Gov. Gavin Newsom is seeking to make looting a fire evacuation zone a felony after Southern California prosecutors asked him to impose harsher penalties this week, Fox News reported. This was learned exclusively from News Digital.
“Preying on the most vulnerable is a despicable act, and these criminals are among the worst,” Newsom said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital Thursday afternoon. .
“Looting was never legal here,” Newsom said, calling it “unacceptable” as the state continues to grapple with the raging inferno that erupted on Jan. 7.
California firefighter arrested, police warn arsonist caught on video
Gov. Gavin Newsom faced pressure this week from Southern California prosecutors to impose tougher penalties for looters and arsonists. (Getty Images/Fox News Digital)
“And that's why I imposed support from CalGuard and CHP from the beginning. [California Highway Patrol] “This is to protect affected residents and their property,” Newsom said.
Los Angeles County's newly elected tough-on-crime District Attorney Nathan Hochman filed multiple arson charges in unrelated cases this week as firefighters continue to battle blazes across the region so far. I am doing it. Fox News Digital previously reported that authorities had arrested at least 12 people in connection with the incident. Looting and arson.
Los Angeles wildfires: Armed homeowners patrol for looters in evacuation zones
A panoramic view of a burned-out residential area as wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles on January 12, 2025. (Lokman Vral Elibor/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Hochman issued a warning to others “considering similar conduct” and vowed that individuals “will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” Armed homeowners in some areas affected by the fires are taking matters into their own hands to protect their undamaged homes.
Mr. Newsom's hearing came after Mr. Hochman and District Attorney Todd Spitzer of neighboring Orange County joined together Tuesday to urge the governor to make looting a felony. Newsom has recently come under fire from celebrities and lawmakers for his handling of the crisis.
California Governor Gavin Newsom tours the Pacific Palisades business district in downtown Los Angeles on January 8, 2025. (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)
Twenty-four people have died in the Los Angeles wildfires, and that number is expected to rise as authorities continue containment efforts.
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Fox News Digital's Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.
