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- Sep 18, 2017
Based battlestationposting
Live updates: Brush fire burns in Pacific Palisades as Santa Ana winds blast Southern California - Live video at link
- Thread starter mlanguishi
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2022
L.A. fire officials could have put engines in the Palisades before the fire broke out. They didn’t
Los Angeles Times (archive.ph)
By Paul Pringle, Alene Tchekmedyian and Dakota Smith
2025-01-15 03:48:16GMT
L.A. firefighters look for hot spots as they prepare for high winds in the burn areas of the Palisades fire on Tuesday, Jan. 14. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
As the Los Angeles Fire Department faced extraordinary warnings of life-threatening winds, top commanders decided not to assign for emergency deployment roughly 1,000 available firefighters and dozens of water-carrying engines in advance of the fire that destroyed much of the Pacific Palisades and continues to burn, interviews and internal LAFD records show.
Fire officials chose not to order the firefighters to remain on duty for a second shift last Tuesday as the winds were building — which would have doubled the personnel on hand — and staffed just five of more than 40 engines that are available to aid in battling wildfires, according to the records obtained by The Times, as well as interviews with LAFD officials and former chiefs with knowledge of city operations.
The department only started calling up more firefighters and deploying those additional engines after the Palisades blaze was burning out of control.
No extra engines had been placed in the Palisades, where the fire broke out about 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 7, officials said. The department pre-positioned nine engines to the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood that were already on duty, expecting that fires might break out there. Officials said they moved more engines “first thing in the morning” to also cover northeast L.A.
The Times’ findings come as LAFD officials continue to assert that the firefighting effort was hampered by cuts in the department’s budget and low water levels for some fire hydrants. They only acknowledged their decisions not to assign more firefighters or pre-position more of the available engines after The Times presented them with internal documents describing the department’s actions.
Fire Chief Kristin Crowley defended her agency’s decisions, saying that commanders had to be strategic with limited resources while continuing to handle regular 911 calls. She said the number of calls doubled Tuesday from a typical day, to 3,000 at the LAFD’s 106 fire stations, as the high winds downed trees and power lines.
“The plan that they put together, I stand behind, because we have to manage everybody in the city,” Crowley told The Times.
But several former chiefs with deep experience in LAFD tactics said most of the more than 40 available engines could have been pre-deployed to fire zones before the Palisades blaze started, while others were kept at stations to help with the increase in 911 calls. Those engines were eventually used to fight the Palisades fire and other blazes or to fill in for other engines deployed to the front line, current LAFD officials said.
“The plan you’re using now for the fire you should have used before the fire,” said former LAFD Battalion Chief Rick Crawford. “It’s a known staffing tactic — a deployment model.”
Over the past several days, Crowley and other officials have given The Times varying accounts of how many engines were available to supplement regular deployments. An internal planning document obtained by The Times from a source showed that the department said “no” to deploying an additional nine engines, known as “ready reserve” engines, to fire-prone areas. Those are different from the nine engines that were pre-positioned in the Valley and Hollywood.
Crowley initially told The Times that most of the ready reserve engines were inoperable or otherwise unavailable. Later, however, a spokesperson for Crowley said just four of the nine were not immediately available. A third official then produced a document that said seven were put into service at one point or another — most of them after the fire ignited.
Other engines from the group of more than 40 could have been tapped in place of disabled ready reserve ones, Crawford and other sources told The Times.
Deputy Chief Richard Fields, who was in charge of staffing and equipment decisions ahead of Tuesday’s fire, said in an interview that his plan for deployment was “appropriate for immediate response.”
“It’s very easy to Monday-morning quarterback and sit on the couch and tell us what we should have done now that the thing has happened,” he said. “What we did was based on many years of experience and also trying to be responsible for the rest of the city at any given time of that day.”
Some fire officials also have suggested that the winds were so fierce that no number of extra boots on the ground or engines at the ready could have stopped the flames.
Jason Hing, the department’s chief deputy of emergency operations, acknowledged that the resources that were pre-deployed were not enough, but he said that more may not have made a difference.
He also said that the staffing was similar to that of earlier red flag events.
“That fire was the most erratic behavior I’ve ever seen — 60- to 90-mile-an-hour winds pushing through in multiple directions, spotting like I’ve never seen before,” Hing said. “There was no way anybody was going to catch that fire.”
But others maintain that the more defenses the department had in place, the better the prospects of corralling the fire when it was small, no matter the speed and behavior of the winds. They cited an LAFD operations publication that states, “Our first-alarm brush response is based on a ‘hit it hard and fast’ concept. … If it is a high-hazard day, (fire) companies will be pre-deployed.”
“Every fire starts the size of a match head,” said Crawford, who is now emergency and crisis management coordinator for the U.S. Capitol. He worked on a range of major wildfires, including the massive 2018 Camp fire in northern California, during his 33 years with the LAFD.
In response to last week’s wind warning, Crawford said he would have ordered the outgoing shift of about 1,000 firefighters to stay on duty that Tuesday, a measure known as a limited recall, as a second shift came on.
The department is staffed by three 24-hour shifts, or platoons, of firefighters. A limited recall enables commanders to fill emergency staffing needs, including for available engines, without having to depend on firefighters returning to duty voluntarily.
Limited recalls have been employed in other large conflagrations, and can be imposed before or after a fire breaks out. Crawford and other officials said concerns about the cost of a recall, including overtime pay, sometimes make commanders hesitant to order one.
Regardless of the cost, Crawford said, he would have staged at least 25 of the more than 40 available engines at stations that are closest to hillsides, including in the Palisades. Known internally as 200 Series engines, they are identical to other engines and placed around the city, usually paired with hook and ladder trucks, which do not carry water. In non-emergencies, they are staffed by a single engineer. When needed for wildfires, they carry four firefighters.
“You would have had a better chance to get a better result if you deployed those engines,” said Crawford, whose LAFD career included a stint as a captain in the department’s operations center. “You give yourself the best chance to minimize how big the fire could get. … If you do that, you have the ability to say, ‘I threw everything at it at the outset.’”
“That didn’t happen here,” he said, adding that the decisions not to use more of the 200 Series engines and order the shift to remain on duty were part of a “domino effect of missteps” by commanders.
Battalion Chief Patrick Leonard said the outgoing shift of firefighters was not ordered to continue working because “we didn’t have apparatus for another 1,000 members.” Apparatus would include engines. Leonard did not address why the shift wasn’t recalled to fully staff the 200 Series engines that were available, as the department has done during previous emergencies.
Crowley said firefighters already on duty, including fire inspectors, were quickly pressed into service to staff five more of the 200 Series engines, but that was after the Palisades blaze had begun its tear.
Some firefighters who volunteered to work after the fire had spread were sent home because there was nowhere to put them, Crowley added. Officials did not specify how many returned home.
The Palisades fire has burned nearly 24,000 acres and destroyed or damaged more than 5,300 homes and other structures, officials estimate. At least eight people have died in the fire, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office and Sheriff’s Department.
The Eaton fire, which started after the Palisades blaze in the Altadena area, has blackened more than 14,000 acres, destroyed or damaged 7,000 homes and other structures, and killed 17 people, officials say.
The day before any hazardous weather, LAFD officials are typically briefed in the afternoon by the National Weather Service and use that information to decide where to position firefighters and engines the following morning.
The weather service had been sounding the alarm about critical fire weather for days. “HEADS UP!!!” the NWS Los Angeles posted on X the morning of Jan. 6. “A LIFE-THREATENING, DESTRUCTIVE” windstorm was coming.
It hadn’t rained much in months, and wind gusts were expected to reach 80 mph. The so-called burning index — a rating that indicates the wildfire threat — was off the charts. Anything beyond 162 is considered “extreme,” and the burning index for that Tuesday was 268.
“There is high confidence in a life-threatening and destructive windstorm this afternoon through Wednesday morning,” LAFD officials wrote in an internal memo detailing staffing assignments for Jan. 7, echoing the weather service.
The ready reserve engines are supposed to be available for weather emergencies and sometimes to replace broken rigs at station houses.
Crowley said that in a “perfect world,” she would have staffed the ready reserve engines, but budget cuts that eliminated half of the LAFD’s mechanic positions have left many in disrepair. Two are out of service and need to be fully replaced, officials said.
In any event, Fields said he didn’t think he needed the engines when planning for the windstorm because they would not necessarily have been a “game changer.”
“I accept that we could be scrutinized for not having enough after the thing has happened,” Fields said. “But I would challenge any of those people that scrutinize that to make a different decision prior to the thing happening.”
He, like Crowley, said that pre-deploying more engines could not have been done at the expense of the department’s ability to handle emergencies outside the fire zone.
Crawford, however, said pre-deploying 25 of the 200 Series engines for a threatened wildfire — five times the number that were assigned the morning before the Palisades blaze — would have left 15 or so in station houses to help with 911 calls unrelated to the fire.
“That’s more than enough,” he said.
Los Angeles Times (archive.ph)
By Paul Pringle, Alene Tchekmedyian and Dakota Smith
2025-01-15 03:48:16GMT
L.A. firefighters look for hot spots as they prepare for high winds in the burn areas of the Palisades fire on Tuesday, Jan. 14. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
As the Los Angeles Fire Department faced extraordinary warnings of life-threatening winds, top commanders decided not to assign for emergency deployment roughly 1,000 available firefighters and dozens of water-carrying engines in advance of the fire that destroyed much of the Pacific Palisades and continues to burn, interviews and internal LAFD records show.
Fire officials chose not to order the firefighters to remain on duty for a second shift last Tuesday as the winds were building — which would have doubled the personnel on hand — and staffed just five of more than 40 engines that are available to aid in battling wildfires, according to the records obtained by The Times, as well as interviews with LAFD officials and former chiefs with knowledge of city operations.
The department only started calling up more firefighters and deploying those additional engines after the Palisades blaze was burning out of control.
No extra engines had been placed in the Palisades, where the fire broke out about 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 7, officials said. The department pre-positioned nine engines to the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood that were already on duty, expecting that fires might break out there. Officials said they moved more engines “first thing in the morning” to also cover northeast L.A.
The Times’ findings come as LAFD officials continue to assert that the firefighting effort was hampered by cuts in the department’s budget and low water levels for some fire hydrants. They only acknowledged their decisions not to assign more firefighters or pre-position more of the available engines after The Times presented them with internal documents describing the department’s actions.
Fire Chief Kristin Crowley defended her agency’s decisions, saying that commanders had to be strategic with limited resources while continuing to handle regular 911 calls. She said the number of calls doubled Tuesday from a typical day, to 3,000 at the LAFD’s 106 fire stations, as the high winds downed trees and power lines.
“The plan that they put together, I stand behind, because we have to manage everybody in the city,” Crowley told The Times.
But several former chiefs with deep experience in LAFD tactics said most of the more than 40 available engines could have been pre-deployed to fire zones before the Palisades blaze started, while others were kept at stations to help with the increase in 911 calls. Those engines were eventually used to fight the Palisades fire and other blazes or to fill in for other engines deployed to the front line, current LAFD officials said.
“The plan you’re using now for the fire you should have used before the fire,” said former LAFD Battalion Chief Rick Crawford. “It’s a known staffing tactic — a deployment model.”
Over the past several days, Crowley and other officials have given The Times varying accounts of how many engines were available to supplement regular deployments. An internal planning document obtained by The Times from a source showed that the department said “no” to deploying an additional nine engines, known as “ready reserve” engines, to fire-prone areas. Those are different from the nine engines that were pre-positioned in the Valley and Hollywood.
Crowley initially told The Times that most of the ready reserve engines were inoperable or otherwise unavailable. Later, however, a spokesperson for Crowley said just four of the nine were not immediately available. A third official then produced a document that said seven were put into service at one point or another — most of them after the fire ignited.
Other engines from the group of more than 40 could have been tapped in place of disabled ready reserve ones, Crawford and other sources told The Times.
Deputy Chief Richard Fields, who was in charge of staffing and equipment decisions ahead of Tuesday’s fire, said in an interview that his plan for deployment was “appropriate for immediate response.”
“It’s very easy to Monday-morning quarterback and sit on the couch and tell us what we should have done now that the thing has happened,” he said. “What we did was based on many years of experience and also trying to be responsible for the rest of the city at any given time of that day.”
Some fire officials also have suggested that the winds were so fierce that no number of extra boots on the ground or engines at the ready could have stopped the flames.
Jason Hing, the department’s chief deputy of emergency operations, acknowledged that the resources that were pre-deployed were not enough, but he said that more may not have made a difference.
He also said that the staffing was similar to that of earlier red flag events.
“That fire was the most erratic behavior I’ve ever seen — 60- to 90-mile-an-hour winds pushing through in multiple directions, spotting like I’ve never seen before,” Hing said. “There was no way anybody was going to catch that fire.”
But others maintain that the more defenses the department had in place, the better the prospects of corralling the fire when it was small, no matter the speed and behavior of the winds. They cited an LAFD operations publication that states, “Our first-alarm brush response is based on a ‘hit it hard and fast’ concept. … If it is a high-hazard day, (fire) companies will be pre-deployed.”
“Every fire starts the size of a match head,” said Crawford, who is now emergency and crisis management coordinator for the U.S. Capitol. He worked on a range of major wildfires, including the massive 2018 Camp fire in northern California, during his 33 years with the LAFD.
In response to last week’s wind warning, Crawford said he would have ordered the outgoing shift of about 1,000 firefighters to stay on duty that Tuesday, a measure known as a limited recall, as a second shift came on.
The department is staffed by three 24-hour shifts, or platoons, of firefighters. A limited recall enables commanders to fill emergency staffing needs, including for available engines, without having to depend on firefighters returning to duty voluntarily.
Limited recalls have been employed in other large conflagrations, and can be imposed before or after a fire breaks out. Crawford and other officials said concerns about the cost of a recall, including overtime pay, sometimes make commanders hesitant to order one.
Regardless of the cost, Crawford said, he would have staged at least 25 of the more than 40 available engines at stations that are closest to hillsides, including in the Palisades. Known internally as 200 Series engines, they are identical to other engines and placed around the city, usually paired with hook and ladder trucks, which do not carry water. In non-emergencies, they are staffed by a single engineer. When needed for wildfires, they carry four firefighters.
“You would have had a better chance to get a better result if you deployed those engines,” said Crawford, whose LAFD career included a stint as a captain in the department’s operations center. “You give yourself the best chance to minimize how big the fire could get. … If you do that, you have the ability to say, ‘I threw everything at it at the outset.’”
“That didn’t happen here,” he said, adding that the decisions not to use more of the 200 Series engines and order the shift to remain on duty were part of a “domino effect of missteps” by commanders.
Battalion Chief Patrick Leonard said the outgoing shift of firefighters was not ordered to continue working because “we didn’t have apparatus for another 1,000 members.” Apparatus would include engines. Leonard did not address why the shift wasn’t recalled to fully staff the 200 Series engines that were available, as the department has done during previous emergencies.
Crowley said firefighters already on duty, including fire inspectors, were quickly pressed into service to staff five more of the 200 Series engines, but that was after the Palisades blaze had begun its tear.
Some firefighters who volunteered to work after the fire had spread were sent home because there was nowhere to put them, Crowley added. Officials did not specify how many returned home.
The Palisades fire has burned nearly 24,000 acres and destroyed or damaged more than 5,300 homes and other structures, officials estimate. At least eight people have died in the fire, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office and Sheriff’s Department.
The Eaton fire, which started after the Palisades blaze in the Altadena area, has blackened more than 14,000 acres, destroyed or damaged 7,000 homes and other structures, and killed 17 people, officials say.
The day before any hazardous weather, LAFD officials are typically briefed in the afternoon by the National Weather Service and use that information to decide where to position firefighters and engines the following morning.
The weather service had been sounding the alarm about critical fire weather for days. “HEADS UP!!!” the NWS Los Angeles posted on X the morning of Jan. 6. “A LIFE-THREATENING, DESTRUCTIVE” windstorm was coming.
It hadn’t rained much in months, and wind gusts were expected to reach 80 mph. The so-called burning index — a rating that indicates the wildfire threat — was off the charts. Anything beyond 162 is considered “extreme,” and the burning index for that Tuesday was 268.
“There is high confidence in a life-threatening and destructive windstorm this afternoon through Wednesday morning,” LAFD officials wrote in an internal memo detailing staffing assignments for Jan. 7, echoing the weather service.
The ready reserve engines are supposed to be available for weather emergencies and sometimes to replace broken rigs at station houses.
Crowley said that in a “perfect world,” she would have staffed the ready reserve engines, but budget cuts that eliminated half of the LAFD’s mechanic positions have left many in disrepair. Two are out of service and need to be fully replaced, officials said.
In any event, Fields said he didn’t think he needed the engines when planning for the windstorm because they would not necessarily have been a “game changer.”
“I accept that we could be scrutinized for not having enough after the thing has happened,” Fields said. “But I would challenge any of those people that scrutinize that to make a different decision prior to the thing happening.”
He, like Crowley, said that pre-deploying more engines could not have been done at the expense of the department’s ability to handle emergencies outside the fire zone.
Crawford, however, said pre-deploying 25 of the 200 Series engines for a threatened wildfire — five times the number that were assigned the morning before the Palisades blaze — would have left 15 or so in station houses to help with 911 calls unrelated to the fire.
“That’s more than enough,” he said.
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2020
its an earlier post of mine from this same thread, dont wanna make anyone think im trying to lie or fool them.
Its highlighted so easy to find.
its still my original photo where I killed a case in a night while dealing with alot of grief
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2021
We can only hope that they've moved all of the old saber tooth cat fossils away. The La Brea Tar Pits Museum is one of the only reasons to ever visit LA.
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2017
Wasn't today supposed to be really dry and windy? I saw this morning they had "particularly dangerous situation" red flag warnings which they normally only have for major tornado outbreaks. How bad did today go for the rich suburbanites of HelL.A?
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2021
Yeah big most of you can’t shoot worth a damn…..Despite what you may have heard, many of us have guns.
And you have to reload every 10 rounds. Gay
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2022
It's not cartels doing it, but there are crews of South Americans that have been burglarizing the homes of the rich and famous for years now.
Dozens of Chilean ‘tourists’ tied to burglaries in Southern California, police say (a)
'Crime tourism' bringing burglary crews from South America to affluent California communities (a)
‘Crime tourism’ likely hitting San Diego homes (a)
4 Chileans stole from homes across L.A. in a case of ‘burglary tourism,’ police say (a)
Sophisticated ‘burglary tourists’ fly from South America to rob wealthy homes, LAPD says (a)
Sophisticated SoCal crime tourism ring stole millions in heists, home burglaries, feds say (a)
edit: It's also been happening nationwide lately to sportsball players.
FBI issues warning about burglaries of pro athletes' homes (a)
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2021
oh no all the rich Jews that lobied to get my guns criminalized and banned are mad that Juan and Rico entered the country just to loot it and steal their expensive money laundering paintings. The absolute insane irony is next level.
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2021
Don't look now, but PG&E posted a warning of power shutdowns in areas past the grapevine, all the way up to Kern County.
For the love of all that is holy, please let the Sequoia forest stay untouched.
For the love of all that is holy, please let the Sequoia forest stay untouched.
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2022
Did I miss this being announced the other day?
January 13, 2025: District Attorney Announces Charges in Pacific Palisades and Altadena Looting and Azusa Arson
LA County District Attorney's Office (archive.ph)
By Media Relations Division
2025-01-13
January 13, 2025: District Attorney Announces Charges in Pacific Palisades and Altadena Looting and Azusa Arson
LA County District Attorney's Office (archive.ph)
By Media Relations Division
2025-01-13
The charges were the result of a multi-agency collaboration that underscores the strength of local, state and federal partnerships
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman today announced charges against 10 individuals in four crimes committed during the devastating wildfires. Nine people are facing felony charges in connection to residential burglaries in the cities of Pacific Palisades and Altadena, and a separate defendant has been charged with arson for intentionally starting a fire in the city of Azusa.
“These crimes are appalling and represent a direct attack on our community during a time of unprecedented loss and vulnerability,” District Attorney Hochman said. “Let me be clear: If you exploit this tragedy to prey on victims of these deadly fires, we will find you and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
The felony charges were the result of a multi-agency collaboration that underscores the strength of local, state, and federal partnerships. Law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; Los Angeles Police Department; Los Angeles County Fire Arson Unit; U.S. Attorney’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) collaborated closely with the District Attorney’s Office to bring these suspects to justice.
District Attorney Hochman expressed deep gratitude for the unwavering commitment of his Office, these agencies, and the support of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
“Our ability to swiftly apprehend and charge these individuals is a testament to the incredible dedication and collaboration of our law enforcement partners,” DA Hochman said. “I want to thank every officer, investigator and prosecutor who are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities during this crisis. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has been an indispensable partner in our efforts to protect residents, support first responders, and ensure justice for those affected by these tragic events.”
Martrell Peoples (DOB 10/14/2002) and Damari Bell (DOB 4/26/2003) are each charged with one count of first-degree residential burglary and looting during an emergency or evacuation: grand theft. It is further alleged that Peoples committed the offense while on state prison parole and Bell committed the offense while on felony probation. Allegations include they took property exceeding $200,000. Additionally, Bell is charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. The Office has recommended a $1,110,000 bail amount for Peoples and $310,000 bail for Bell. If convicted as charged, Peoples faces life in prison and Bell faces 22 years, eight months in prison.
Travon Coleman (DOB 3/1/1997) is charged with one count of felony hit-and run. It is further alleged that Coleman inflicted great bodily harm on a victim and committed the offense as a convicted felon. The People have recommended a $1,080,000 bail amount. If convicted as charged, he faces life in prison.
Between the late evening hours of Jan. 8 and the early morning of Jan. 9, Peoples and Bell are accused in a burglary at a residence located in the Mandeville Canyon area of Los Angeles. At approximately 2:20 p.m. on Jan. 9, during the ongoing investigation into the earlier burglary, Coleman is accused of attempting to evade police and crashing in the intersection of Figueroa and 5th St., hitting a car and injuring the driver. After the crash, Coleman allegedly fled on foot but was ultimately detained.
The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Jose Gerardo Escobar (DOB 10/5/1985)is charged with one count each of felony arson; arson during a state of emergency; and attempted arson. He is being held on $20,000 bail. Escobar’s arraignment is set for today in Dept. 4 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, West Covina Branch. If convicted as charged, he faces nine years in state prison.
On Jan. 10 at approximately 11:30 p.m., Escobar is accused of attempting to light a large tree on fire that had fallen to the ground at Pioneer Park 1360 N. Dalton Avenue, Azusa.
The case was investigated by the Azusa Police Department.
Rudy Salazar (DOB 7/20/2005) and Lucia Jilrara Perez (DOB 9/3/1988) are charged with two counts each of first-degree residential burglary in case 25PDCF00020. They pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on Jan. 10. Their preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for Jan. 29, Dept. D of the Los Angeles Superior Court, Pasadena Branch.
On Jan. 8 at approximately 2:30 p.m., the defendants are accused of entering two homes during the Eaton fire in Altadena and stealing property.
This case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Roy Sims (DOB 11/7/2006); Ryan Sims (DOB 11/18/2005); Naquan Dewey Reddix (DOB 5/4/2002); and Pierie Obannon (DOB 11/22/2005) are charged with one count each of first-degree residential burglary in case 25PDCF00019. They pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on Jan. 10. Their preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for Jan. 28, Dept. D of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Pasadena Branch. Bail for Roy Sims and Ryan Sims has been set for $50,000 each. If convicted as charged, each faces up to six years in state prison. Reddix and Obannon have posted bail and were released.
On Jan. 8, at approximately 5 p.m., the defendants are accused of entering a home during the Eaton fire in Altadena and stealing property.
This case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The District Attorney’s Office continues to work closely with law enforcement to identify and bring to justice any individuals taking advantage of the tragedy. DA Hochman reiterated the importance of complying with curfews in affected areas.
“These curfews are in place to protect residents and ensure public safety. Anyone who violates them will face serious consequences,” Hochman said. “Our office is fully committed to getting these criminals off the streets and putting them on alert: We will not tolerate this kind of lawlessness.”
The charges filed in these cases are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Screenshot of looting suspects in a Pacific Palisades home. View video here.
Arrest of Jose Gerardo Escobar accused in the Azusa arson. View video here.
Looting in an Altadena home during fires.
Tools allegedly used in an Altadena house burglary.
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman today announced charges against 10 individuals in four crimes committed during the devastating wildfires. Nine people are facing felony charges in connection to residential burglaries in the cities of Pacific Palisades and Altadena, and a separate defendant has been charged with arson for intentionally starting a fire in the city of Azusa.
“These crimes are appalling and represent a direct attack on our community during a time of unprecedented loss and vulnerability,” District Attorney Hochman said. “Let me be clear: If you exploit this tragedy to prey on victims of these deadly fires, we will find you and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
The felony charges were the result of a multi-agency collaboration that underscores the strength of local, state, and federal partnerships. Law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; Los Angeles Police Department; Los Angeles County Fire Arson Unit; U.S. Attorney’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) collaborated closely with the District Attorney’s Office to bring these suspects to justice.
District Attorney Hochman expressed deep gratitude for the unwavering commitment of his Office, these agencies, and the support of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
“Our ability to swiftly apprehend and charge these individuals is a testament to the incredible dedication and collaboration of our law enforcement partners,” DA Hochman said. “I want to thank every officer, investigator and prosecutor who are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities during this crisis. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has been an indispensable partner in our efforts to protect residents, support first responders, and ensure justice for those affected by these tragic events.”
Martrell Peoples (DOB 10/14/2002) and Damari Bell (DOB 4/26/2003) are each charged with one count of first-degree residential burglary and looting during an emergency or evacuation: grand theft. It is further alleged that Peoples committed the offense while on state prison parole and Bell committed the offense while on felony probation. Allegations include they took property exceeding $200,000. Additionally, Bell is charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. The Office has recommended a $1,110,000 bail amount for Peoples and $310,000 bail for Bell. If convicted as charged, Peoples faces life in prison and Bell faces 22 years, eight months in prison.
Travon Coleman (DOB 3/1/1997) is charged with one count of felony hit-and run. It is further alleged that Coleman inflicted great bodily harm on a victim and committed the offense as a convicted felon. The People have recommended a $1,080,000 bail amount. If convicted as charged, he faces life in prison.
Between the late evening hours of Jan. 8 and the early morning of Jan. 9, Peoples and Bell are accused in a burglary at a residence located in the Mandeville Canyon area of Los Angeles. At approximately 2:20 p.m. on Jan. 9, during the ongoing investigation into the earlier burglary, Coleman is accused of attempting to evade police and crashing in the intersection of Figueroa and 5th St., hitting a car and injuring the driver. After the crash, Coleman allegedly fled on foot but was ultimately detained.
The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Jose Gerardo Escobar (DOB 10/5/1985)is charged with one count each of felony arson; arson during a state of emergency; and attempted arson. He is being held on $20,000 bail. Escobar’s arraignment is set for today in Dept. 4 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, West Covina Branch. If convicted as charged, he faces nine years in state prison.
On Jan. 10 at approximately 11:30 p.m., Escobar is accused of attempting to light a large tree on fire that had fallen to the ground at Pioneer Park 1360 N. Dalton Avenue, Azusa.
The case was investigated by the Azusa Police Department.
Rudy Salazar (DOB 7/20/2005) and Lucia Jilrara Perez (DOB 9/3/1988) are charged with two counts each of first-degree residential burglary in case 25PDCF00020. They pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on Jan. 10. Their preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for Jan. 29, Dept. D of the Los Angeles Superior Court, Pasadena Branch.
On Jan. 8 at approximately 2:30 p.m., the defendants are accused of entering two homes during the Eaton fire in Altadena and stealing property.
This case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Roy Sims (DOB 11/7/2006); Ryan Sims (DOB 11/18/2005); Naquan Dewey Reddix (DOB 5/4/2002); and Pierie Obannon (DOB 11/22/2005) are charged with one count each of first-degree residential burglary in case 25PDCF00019. They pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on Jan. 10. Their preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for Jan. 28, Dept. D of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Pasadena Branch. Bail for Roy Sims and Ryan Sims has been set for $50,000 each. If convicted as charged, each faces up to six years in state prison. Reddix and Obannon have posted bail and were released.
On Jan. 8, at approximately 5 p.m., the defendants are accused of entering a home during the Eaton fire in Altadena and stealing property.
This case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The District Attorney’s Office continues to work closely with law enforcement to identify and bring to justice any individuals taking advantage of the tragedy. DA Hochman reiterated the importance of complying with curfews in affected areas.
“These curfews are in place to protect residents and ensure public safety. Anyone who violates them will face serious consequences,” Hochman said. “Our office is fully committed to getting these criminals off the streets and putting them on alert: We will not tolerate this kind of lawlessness.”
The charges filed in these cases are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Screenshot of looting suspects in a Pacific Palisades home. View video here.
Arrest of Jose Gerardo Escobar accused in the Azusa arson. View video here.
Looting in an Altadena home during fires.
Tools allegedly used in an Altadena house burglary.
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2022
I swear I've heard the story of a bunch of jews making a fire that should have only lasted a day burn for eight days straight, but I can't remember where... 
VanyaMotorbike
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2023
Well one thing about cartels is while on the surface they appear as one singular organization, and they do have major figureheads, they're really a huge network of criminal cells which operate with a level of independence and are all handling different criminal enterprises. When you look into the internal politics of a cartel it's often pure chaos because there'll be factions within going to war with each other or working with other rival cartels. They'll also have plenty of alliances and affiliations, including with many American-based gangs like the Mexican Mafia and even biker gangs etc ...
Another thing that happens is you get small criminal cells that will say they're affiliated with a major cartel just to get clout
So yeah I doubt El Mencho is sat in Mexico hatching plans to steal luxury goods in LA and sending his best people, but at the very least the glowies may have picked up some crews in LA who are connected to Mexican cartels in some way, even if it's just being affiliated with a US-based gang that has cartel affiliations.
Also one thing is cartels always have a massive need for vehicles (They're always rolling around in 50-truck convoys which often get completely fucked up and destroyed) and so they definitely operate major car theft rings. Following the cartels you often see, for example, the aftermath of gun battles where cars/trucks have been destroyed, and the police will find they were stolen in the US. So it wouldn't surprise me if some crews saw an opportunity here to steal and ship vehicles across the border (Maybe not Lambos but certainly things like trucks)
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- Joined
- Jul 18, 2017
Which will be a fun thing to discuss in the aftermath of this. I doubt the incoming administration will be as forgiving as the current one. Mexico better have some crack shot diplomats. Really though, Mexico doesn't have as much to worry about as the current LA and California government. Come January 20, the hills will be alive with the sound of reckoning.
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2018
It's been a while ago since it was announced, but I wouldn't be surprised if it continued in secret. But years ago, the incoming Mexican President was campaigning in California; and the retards will do anything to protect their brown pets. Mexico doesn't need diplomats, the USA needs better state government.
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2017
Newsom and Bass are in deep shit I think. Everything in Washington DC is in holding patterns right now due to the lame duck session, but once the inauguration is over the Feds, and by that I mean the Trump Administration, are going to want their heads. They probably wanted to scalp them for reasons unrelated to this fiasco, but this fiasco has given them a better and actually legitimate reason to take them out.
Lets not forget California was supposed to become the great hope of Woke against the Fascists in Washington DC. Just today the California Legislature passed their "Trump Proofing" law. What a joke, and also what an insult to the people ostensibly in their care who have lost everything. Trump has refused to go to California as the President Elect, but I bet big money within days of the Inauguration he's going to go as President. And one wonders what will become of Newsom then. Lets not forget Newsom lied to Trumps face after the 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed Paradise. He had "learned" from it he said. Yep.
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2022
This is the last week of Bidens term. Its almost Joever.
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2019
My pet theory? This was a poorly planned arson that spiraled out of control. The Dems are incapable of understanding that systems are not static and just assumed they could control the fire and put it out whenever they wanted.
Trouble is they overcompensated with the lack of water, didn't factor in their pet minorities and hobos and didn't understand how fast a fire can spread.
My only real question is if LA is a target or if they are genuinely trying to save it.
Trouble is they overcompensated with the lack of water, didn't factor in their pet minorities and hobos and didn't understand how fast a fire can spread.
My only real question is if LA is a target or if they are genuinely trying to save it.
Not the first time this happened either. They used assassin's creed to rebuild the Notre-Dame cathedral after It burned.
Of course. Shit a conspiracy minded man might think the idiot who rammed a drone into a plane was a plant. Either way it's a nice excuse to arrest everyone they can with a drone.
Dude got shit faced with drugs on meet the press. At the very least something is not going well for the man.
This is not going to extinguish the allegations of conspiracy
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2020
God, will it be funny for Trump to berate Newsom in front of cameras. Even better if he makes Newsom lick his shoes for FEMA aid.
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2018
I’m still hoping aid is tied to mandatory ICE support and the ending of sanctuary cities
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2017
The real insult will be for Trump to go to LA and refuse to be filmed with Newsom or Karen Bass. This would be the ultimate smack. The President is a federal official. He never goes outside of DC without the consent and presence of the Governor of the State he enters.