Alleged California wildfire looters all from ‘out of town’
The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has revealed the identities of nearly a dozen attempted burglary suspects within the Palisades Fire evacuation zones in Santa Monica. Shockingly, none of these suspects are residents of the town, highlighting the opportunistic nature of criminals during times of crisis.
Out of the 10 suspects identified, six were found in possession of “burglary tools,” indicating their intent to commit crimes within the disaster area. What’s even more concerning is that all of these individuals traveled from out of town to take advantage of the chaotic situation caused by the wildfire.
Since the onset of the Palisades Fire, SMPD has made a total of 39 arrests in evacuation zones. While some suspects were charged with attempted burglary, others were apprehended for various offenses such as curfew violations, drug possession, warrants, parole, and probation violations.
One of the burglary suspects, identified as Joshua Kaliel Love, 29, attempted to evade officers but was eventually caught with a dagger, window-breaking tool, mask, gloves, and narcotics. It was later discovered that he was on probation at the time of his arrest.
Two other suspects, Dominic Pachecomanga, 18, and Miguel Angel Dorantes, 22, were found traveling in a van without identification. They were in possession of gloves, burglary tools, dark clothing, ski masks, and large tote bags. Interestingly, they had the Watch Duty app on their phones, which tracks fire and evacuation zones.
Gabriel Isaih Stokes, 27, was arrested after a plate reader flagged the car he was driving as stolen. Upon inspection, he was found with a stolen California ID, fake IDs, burglary tools, a black beanie, ski mask, and large bags. Stokes had a history of prior charges related to burglary, robbery, and grand theft.
The alarming trend of individuals exploiting natural disasters for criminal activities is a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and law enforcement presence in affected areas. The swift action taken by SMPD in apprehending these suspects underscores their commitment to maintaining safety and order during times of crisis.
In a community already reeling from the devastation of the Palisades Fire, the added threat of looters and burglars posing as fire officials or utility workers is a grim reality that residents must remain vigilant against. The collective efforts of law enforcement and community members are crucial in safeguarding neighborhoods and preventing further harm in the aftermath of such disasters.
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This article was written by Alexandra Koch, a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital, with a focus on covering breaking news, crime, religion, and the military in the southeast.
