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Burglary suspect dressed as firefighter arrested in L.A. fire zone

Police also identified five men pretending to be associated with a fire station

A California National Guard Military Police stands guard at a closed intersection due to the Eaton fire in Altadena

A California National Guard Military Police officer stands guard at a closed intersection due to the Eaton fire in Altadena Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025.

Allen J. Schaben/TNS

Richard Winton
Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles authorities said they arrested 29 more people overnight in the fire zones, including one burglary suspect who was allegedly dressed as a firefighter.

Of the arrests, 25 people were apprehended in the Eaton fire zone, four in the Palisades fire zone, authorities said.

“We have people who will go to all ends to do what they do,” Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said of a man dressed in a fire jacket and helmet burglarizing homes.

One man, who was driving a truck, was arrested in the Palisades area, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and LAPD said. Other suspects were found inside the vehicle. The men pretended to be associated with a fire station but a quick check with the fire department proved that not to be the case, officials said.

Sheriff Robert Luna said those arrested were not from the area and that some had firearms and drugs.

About 20 similar arrests were made earlier last week.

Curfews remained in place in the fire zones, and the National Guard and police continue to conduct patrols in these areas.

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