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Authorities said a woman wearing a “Palisard Strong” T-shirt was arrested on Friday, part of a campaign to promote solidarity and resilience among fire victims.
Authorities say the woman they identified as Karen Masti stole many bones from the residence burned in the January 7 fire.
In the weeks since the fire broke out, many retailers sold items decorated with the “LA Strong” logo. Shirts with similar messages of resilience, solidarity and hope for Pacific Palisade residents have appeared in many online markets.
According to a CHP spokesman, the California Highway Patrol received a 911 call from a homeowner who found a suspicious vehicle after returning home Friday afternoon, finding “contents set on the side” and having several items Received from a homeowner who found it.
Chp Sgt. Daniel Keene said he left the vehicle by the time the vehicle arrived, but the homeowner provided an explanation of the suspect and her vehicle. Investigators later determined that the vehicle was registered at the Santa Clarita address, about 35 miles north of the crime scene, Keene said. Officers were dispatched to the location where Masti was found in possession of some of the stolen items and arrested her on suspicion of massive theft, the CHP said in a news release.
“I am extremely proud of the prompt action taken by the officers to protect the public and prevent further harm,” Keene said.
He was not charged against Mastey as of Saturday, but said the agency had more details about the incident that will be announced Monday.
Online prison roster shows that Mastey was booked under her maiden name and later released. She lists her age as 53.
On 2/21/25, officers of the CHP West Valley Area Office were notified of looting occurring at a residence in Palisade, the Pacific. Suspect Karen Masty was arrested for being observed looting a burnt-out residence and booked for grand theft. pic.twitter.com/a6rwqggnfo
-Chp Southern (@Chpsouthern) February 22, 2025
In recent weeks, state legislators have proposed harsher penalties for looting and other opportunistic crimes during the disaster, and have worked to alleviate residents’ fears that evacuated homes are being robbed.
And yet published statistics suggest that such crimes are not as widespread as some claims.
Authorities say at least 20 individuals have been arrested in the evacuation zone after the recent Pallisard and Eton wildfires.
One group of suspicious robbers reportedly stole more than $200,000 in valuables from their home in Mandeville Canyon near Santa Monica, while another group has reportedly found that Eton Fire has more than 9,400 homes and other He is said to have stolen an Emmy Award from the Altadena home, which destroyed the structure. He killed at least 17 people.
With the support of police and firefighters groups, some lawmakers have proposed strict crime laws that treat emergency community robberies as felony crimes, imposing potentially stiff penalties. One of the bills could also crack down on people who pretend to be police, firefighters, or paramedics during a wildfire.
Atty, Los Angeles County. Nathan Hochmann filed offices in 27 criminal cases related to wildfires, but called for current law to crack down on such crimes “overwhelmingly.”
The LA County Sheriff’s Department has established a loot control team to provide closer surveillance and faster response times for the evacuated Altadena area.
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