After several arrests in recent weeks of individuals who authorities say were posing as firefighters, authorities now say two more people have been arrested for pretending to be members of the media to enter a fire zone.
Authorities say the two suspects allegedly falsified press passes to illegally enter a Palisades Fire evacuation zone.
Officers stationed at road closures due to the Palisades Fire came into contact with “two suspicious individuals” who were at different roadblocks, the California Highway Patrol said in a news release Sunday.
COUPLE WITH FAKE FIRE TRUCK ARRESTED FOR IMPOSING TO BE FIREFIGHTERS NEAR PALISADES FIRE IN LOS ANGELES: SHERIFF
The CHP arrested two individuals accused of using fake press passes to illegally enter a fire evacuation zone. (Facebook/California Highway Patrol)
“These individuals were coming and going from the closures while using what appeared to be Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) press passes, and their behavior aroused suspicion,” the statement continued.
California Highway Patrol officers confirmed with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department that the press passes were both fake and the two people carrying the passes were arrested.
A search of their belongings revealed other fraudulent press cards.
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The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said two individuals from Oregon were arrested for posing as firefighters near the Palisades Fire. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department/AP Photo/Jae C. Hong/AP Photo/Ethan Swope, file)
The latest arrests follow several others in recent weeks of individuals accused of trying to enter fire zones using deception.
An Oregon couple was arrested Saturday for allegedly impersonating firefighters after trying to enter an evacuation zone with a fake fire truck.
Last week, a burglary suspect dressed as a firefighter was arrested, Los Angeles police previously confirmed to Fox News Digital.
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A California Department of Corrections crew works on containment lines ahead of the Palisades Fire, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Santa Monica, California. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
“These arrests underscore the strength of our partnership with the LASD as we work together to secure and protect wildfire-impacted communities,” the CHP said in its latest statement.
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“Criminal activities such as illegal entry into evacuation zones, forgery of press passes and looting will not be tolerated.”
