Looting in LA brings National Guard onto streets amid wildfires
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Troops deployed to support local law enforcement after 20 people arrested for opportunistic raids on empty homes and shops as blazes continue to rage across California city. The California National Guard has been deployed to Los Angeles as the City of Angels continues to battle out-of-control wildfires, its troops tasked with preventing looting and riots as well as helping emergency responders tackle the blaze.
The fires that erupted earlier this week, profiting from dry conditions and whipped up by strong Santa Ana winds, have already killed 10 people, destroyed more than 1,000 structures and forced 150,000 residents to evacuate. Amid the devastation, outbreaks of theft and looting have also been reported as opportunists take advantage of the chaos to raid empty homes and shops abandoned to the flames.
No rioting has taken place, however, despite claims to the contrary spreading on right-wing social media. Newsom had faced criticism from some quarters for not moving quickly enough to bring in the Guard to support local law enforcement but was emphatic in announcing the new show of force on X last night.
Twenty arrests have been made for looting so far, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at his press conference yesterday. “You will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he warned, advising the public against exploiting the situation for personal gain.
“Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis,” she said. Armoured vehicles belonging to the Guard have already been spotted along the 210-freeway traveling towards the Eaton Fire, which has torn through Pasadena and Altadena in recent days.
