At least 20 people have been arrested in the aftermath of massive fires that have razed whole neighborhoods, officials said.
With such a huge area scorched by the fires, which are ravaging the well-to-do Pacific Palisades and another area around Altadena, evacuees feared not enough was being done.
One man whose house was one of just a handful left standing on a burned-out Altadena street told AFP said he was working with his neighbors.
“I’m supposed to take over for them tonight.”
“We continue to conduct roving patrols, manning hard road closures, providing security in evacuation areas to prevent anyone who may be tempted to engage in criminal... behavior like looting,“ he told a press conference on Thursday.
“When we have an evacuation order by law, if you remain in that area, you are guilty of a misdemeanor. If you commit certain crimes, it could jump up to a felony,“ he said.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said anyone the sheriff's department handed over to his office would be dealt with severely.
Hochman said no one should think that taking property from an evacuation zone was a small matter.
“It’s a huge deal. These acts are despicable, and we will prosecute them with maximal punishment.”
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