As multiple wildfires blaze across Los Angeles County, authorities are cracking down on individuals exploiting the crisis. District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced charges against several individuals for looting and arson. Among those charged is Jose Carranza-Escobar, a 39-year-old homeless man accused of igniting a fire in Azusa's Pioneer Park. Law enforcement officials reported that Carranza-Escobar confessed to setting the fire near a fallen tree. He faces a potential nine-year prison sentence.

Several looting incidents have also been reported. Three individuals, Martrell Peoples, Damari Bell, and Travon Coleman, are accused of burglarizing homes in Mandeville Canyon, stealing over $200,000 worth of property. Security footage captured their activities inside a residence, and stolen goods were later recovered from their Koreatown apartment. Peoples, with two prior strikes, faces a potential life sentence under California's Three Strikes Law, while Bell could receive 22 years.

Additional looting charges were filed against Rudy Salazar and Lucia Jilrara Perez for burglarizing two homes in Altadena and attempting to enter a third during the Eaton Fire. Another group, Roy Sims, Ryan Sims Quan, Naquan Dewey Reddix, and Pierie Obannon, allegedly stole an Emmy Award, which has since been recovered, from an Altadena residence.

Law enforcement officials have emphasized their commitment to preventing criminal activity in evacuation zones. In Santa Monica, ten burglary suspects have been apprehended since the Palisades Fire began, some possessing burglary tools and using apps to track evacuation areas. Santa Monica police have made 39 arrests in evacuation zones, with none of the suspects residing within the city. Sheriff Robert Luna reported 34 arrests made by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, highlighting the discovery of narcotics and firearms on individuals apprehended.