[ad_1]
Two more people are in jail for allegedly starting a small fire in Los Angeles under high-risk conditions that killed 20 people and destroyed thousands of structures. Efforts are continuing to fully extinguish two large fires.
Los Angeles Police Department officers were dispatched to the area of Glenokes Street and Van Nuys Street on Tuesday at 5:15 p.m.
Police Chief Jim McDonnell said a resident took into custody the suspect who allegedly set the tree on fire. Residents were able to put out the fire and call police. When officers arrived, the suspect admitted to setting the fire, saying he “liked the smell of burning leaves,” McDonnell said.
McDonnell said at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, officers were dispatched to the area of Santa Monica Boulevard and Vermont Avenue where a suspect was setting a pile of trash on fire. Officers were able to extinguish the flames and arrest the suspect, who reportedly told officers that he enjoyed causing chaos and destruction.
“There are people out there doing this,” McDonnell said.
McDonnell reported Tuesday that three other arrests occurred Sunday and Monday in the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles, all for suspected small-scale arson.
Law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles County are accusing suspected looters of taking advantage of the devastation caused by wildfires in the Southland. Eric Leonard reports on NBC4 News on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 at 4 p.m.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hockman, who announced Monday charges against 10 people, said nine were for looting in the area of recent fires and one for arson unrelated to the large-scale fire, but on Wednesday morning. The office said it had released the complaint.
Two more people were charged in connection with the arson incident.
Hockman said one person has been charged with setting fire to brush, pallets and a tractor-trailer in Industry City, which could result in up to seven years in prison. Hockman said another person was charged with arson for starting a fire in a freeway underpass in Irwindale, and that person faces up to 14 years in prison.
Hockman also said his office is actively investigating other incidents of looting and price-fixing in the wake of the Palisades and Eaton fires.
“We’ve seen people increase the price of the rooms they’re renting and the homes they’re leasing by 100, 200, 300 percent,” Hochman said. “…I recommend that you not only cancel immediately, but also go.”
Go back and fix it,” and refund the overcharged amount to the customer.
Hochman said individuals and companies would be prosecuted for such activities and publicly labeled as criminals.
‘Your company’s name will be out there.’ You’ll be publicly humiliated,’ Hochman said. “I want to make that clear, so please stop now.”
He also urged people to do their research before donating to organizations claiming to be raising resources to help bushfire victims. “We have seen scams involving charities time and time again,” he said, adding that people should only donate to “reputable organizations.”
[ad_2]Source link
