Photo: Alex_Schmidt / iStock / Getty Images
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Twenty people have been arrested in the various Los Angeles-area fire zones for allegedly looting in the ravaged areas, authorities said Thursday as they vowed to crack down on any criminal activity tied to the disaster.
"This is simply unacceptable," Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger said. "... I promise you, you will be held accountable. Shame on those who are preying on our residents at this time of crisis."
Sheriff Robert Luna said roughly 400 department personnel have been deployed in the fire areas and are patrolling for looters. He said it is a misdemeanor crime for anyone to be in an evacuation area without authorization, and committing a crime in such an area can be a felony. Luna said he is instructing deputies to aggressively enforce those restrictions and arrest people found in the burn areas.
"I'm going to make this crystal clear to everybody out there," Luna said. "Over last night and this morning, we are up to 20 individuals who chose to go into our areas and deprive these poor people who have been through so much of their property. Absolutely unacceptable.
"... If you are in one of these areas and you do not belong there, you are going to be subject to arrest," Luna said. "I hope that is as clear as I can make it."
District Attorney Nathan Hochman said "these criminals need to hear ... an unmistakably clear message that if you want to ahead and 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."
"These acts are despicable," Hochman said.