There are always people who take advantage of tragedies to engage in criminal activities. We saw it in Spain during the DANA, and now it is happening in the United States, where the fires in Los Angeles began to subside on Wednesday, and firefighters are making progress in containing two of the most devastating fires, while authorities are dealing with looting, as reported by Efe.
On Wednesday, the red alert for the fires has expired in much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, but strong winds are expected to persist until Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
So far, the death toll from this catastrophe is 25 people, and according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, there are still 26 people missing, 20 in the Eaton area, and six in the Palisades area.
The Eaton fire, located in Altadena, has been contained by 45% according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), achieving a 10% increase from Tuesday. Eaton has been one of the most lethal fires, destroying over 4,600 structures and leaving another 500 damaged. However, authorities warn that these numbers could continue to rise.
The Palisades fire has been contained by 21%, and so far, it has been confirmed that at least 1,280 structures have been destroyed, and over 200 have been affected in the nearly 9,600 burned hectares.
Additionally, the Auto fire, which grew to over 24 hectares (61 acres) in Ventura County, was contained by 85% on Wednesday, and firefighters were able to stop a fire in San Bernardino County, which burned 12 hectares (30 acres).
Sheriff Luna reported on Wednesday that they have arrested 44 suspected individuals in the affected areas of Eaton (36) and Palisades (8) and confirmed that the curfew in the evacuation zones remained in effect.
"If you don't belong there, you don't live there, stay out of the area. There is no reason for you to be there, and you will be subject to arrest if you are there without a valid reason," Luna stated.
At least 14 of those 44 arrests are related to thefts, while the rest of the arrests have been for curfew violations, trespassing, and possession of narcotics or weapons, according to the report.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman warned that individuals attempting to take advantage of the tragedy for personal gain will be severely punished.
Looting arrests could result in 6 to 9 years in prison or even a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
In response to unjustified price increases in rentals or services during this crisis, Hochman stated that those who engage in such practices will be "publicly shamed" and will face both criminal and civil penalties.
"If we find that you have defrauded prices and have taken no steps to remedy the violation you have committed, you have essentially enacted it. We will take action and bring you to justice with the full weight of the law," Hochman assured.