Prosecutors have charged nine people with looting in the areas damaged by the Palisades and Eaton fires Monday, claiming that one suspect even stole an Emmy award from someone’s home. “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,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Monday while announcing the charges. Three men are accused of stealing $200,000 worth of valuables together from a home in Mandeville Canyon on Thursday, while another group is accused of stealing personal property, including the Emmy award, from an Altadena home. “Do not go ahead and engage in looting, engage in internet scams, engage in price gouging, do not violate evacuation orders,” Hochman continued. “Do not commit any of these crimes in which people are trying to profit from the tragedy.” The three separate looting incidents took place in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena, where fires have scorched through a combined 35,000 acres and destroyed more than 12,000 structures.
Read it at The Los Angeles Times
