Security camera footage shows ruthless scammers running through multi-million dollar homes evacuated during the Los Angeles wildfires, with one stealing an Emmy Award.
The footage shows the robbers wearing gray sweatshirts and carrying book bags walking up a huge staircase at the Palisades mansion. The mansion is estimated to be worth around $34 million.
They stole at least $200,000 worth of property, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, and one of the suspects, Travon Coleman, 27, then tried to flee from police and crashed his car. and seriously injured someone.
Three people were arrested in the attack, including an armed suspect, and six others were charged with looting homes evacuated in Altadena during the deadly Eaton Fire.
Prosecutors said that included the group that stole the Emmy Award, but did not provide details about who it belonged to or in what category. However, police quickly arrested the suspect and recovered the bounty.
At least two of the defendants charged so far, Coleman and Martrell Peoples, 22, could face life in prison if convicted.
“The question is not if you will be caught if you engage in these crimes, but when you will be caught,” Hochman said at a press conference Monday.
“These crimes are horrific and represent a direct attack on our community at a time of unprecedented loss and vulnerability.
“Let me be clear: If you exploit this tragedy to prey on the victims of this deadly fire, we will find you and punish you to the fullest extent of the law. I will prosecute.”
Last week, the California National Guard was deployed to the streets of Los Angeles to prevent looting and rioting, and to assist emergency services in putting out fires.
Under California's “three strikes” law, repeated predators can be sentenced to life in prison.
A series of scary wildfires sparked by powerful Santa Ana winds has killed at least 25 people and destroyed thousands of homes.
The fire, which started on January 7, affected an area roughly the size of Brooklyn.
So far, police have arrested more than 40 people in connection with the fires in Los Angeles County.
These include charges such as robbery, looting, violating curfew, drug possession, impersonating a police officer, unauthorized use of a drone, and possession of a firefighter.
Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Blake Chow warned those planning to take advantage of the historic crisis: “There is no escape from this crisis.”
“What I wanted to tell the people of Los Angeles is that this team is rooting for you.”
