Los Angeles authorities say a couple who tried to enter the evacuation area in a fake fire engine near the Palisades fire area have been arrested for impersonating firefighters.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed to Fox News Digital that Dustin Neal, 31, and Jennifer Neal, 44, were arrested on suspicion of impersonating firefighters and entering an evacuation zone. .
Officials said a Los Angeles Police Department patrol unit was driving through the Palisades fire area with fire personnel when they noticed a fire truck that did not appear to be legitimate.
Officers contacted deputies and shared that people in the fake fire truck attempted to enter the evacuation area.
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The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office announced that two Oregon residents have been arrested on suspicion of impersonating firefighters near the Palisades Fire. (Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department/AP Photo/Jay C. Hong/AP Photo/Ethan Swope, File)
As officers approached the truck, they noticed both suspects were wearing turnout gear, officials said.
The occupiers claimed to be employees of Oregon's Roaring River Fire Department. However, deputies learned the department was not legitimate and the truck was purchased at auction.
The fire truck was seized by authorities.
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Officials said the two crew members were also wearing CAL Fire T-shirts under their dispatch gear and had helmets and radios.
The couple admitted to deputies that they had entered the evacuation zone.
Authorities said Dustin Nael has a criminal history in Oregon, including mischief and arson.
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On January 11, 2025, the Palisades Fire occurred near the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. (Teyfan Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Investigators plan to submit the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for review on Tuesday.
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Approximately 29 people as of January 12th arrested So far in Los Angeles, there have been no cases related to criminal activity related to the ongoing wildfires.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said 25 of those arrested were in the area of the Eaton fire, while the remaining four were from the Palisades fire evacuation area.
Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com.
