Authorities have reported the arrest of two individuals for allegedly pretending to be members of the media in order to gain access to a fire zone. The suspects are said to have forged press passes to unlawfully enter an evacuation zone for the Palisades Fire.
According to the California Highway Patrol, officers stationed at road closures for the fire encountered two individuals at separate locations who were using what appeared to be fake Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department press passes. The suspicious behavior of these individuals raised concerns, leading to their arrest.
Upon verification with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, it was confirmed that the press passes were indeed counterfeit. Subsequent searches of the suspects' belongings uncovered additional fraudulent press passes.
These arrests come in the wake of a series of similar incidents where individuals have been apprehended for attempting to enter fire zones through deceptive means. Just recently, an Oregon couple was arrested for impersonating firefighters as they tried to access an evacuation zone using a fake firetruck. Additionally, a burglary suspect disguised as a firefighter was also taken into custody last week.
The California Highway Patrol emphasized the importance of collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in ensuring the safety and security of communities affected by wildfires. They stated that criminal activities such as forging press passes, unlawful entry into evacuation zones, and looting will not be tolerated.
