Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has released mugshots of the looters, burglars abusing the LA wildfires. Over the past week, criminal activity has surged massively within the city’s designated evacuation zones.
Since January 7, SMPD officers have stopped hundreds of individuals and made over 40 arrests, spotlighting the challenges posed by the region’s emergency conditions and alleged gaps in state crime policies.
None of those arrested were residents of Santa Monica. Violations included emergency orders, city curfews, burglary, drug possession, and firearm offenses.
“Ten subjects were arrested for burglary (three individuals in one incident on 18th Street, four individuals in the 200 Block of Euclid, and two individuals at 10th and Carlyle),” according to the Santa Monica Police Department.
“Six were in possession of burglary tools. The rest were arrested for other violations, including curfew, drug possession, driving violations, outstanding warrants, parole and probation violations, etc. Two of the individuals were in possession of concealed handguns. None of the arrestees are from Santa Monica.”
Here are the details about some of the arrests made in the evacuation areas, according to SMDP.
Time/Date: Thursday, January 9
Incident: Traffic Stop
Location: 10th Street and Carlyle
Suspects: Miguel Angel Dorantes (21), Dominic Pacheco Magana (17)
Officers pulled over a white cargo van for traffic violations. Investigations revealed the van displayed stolen registration stickers and contained burglary tools, gloves, and ski masks. The suspects were arrested for entering the evacuation area with intent to commit residential burglaries.
Time/Date: Friday, January 10
Incident: Traffic Stop
Location: 4th Street and Alta Avenue
Suspect: Christensen Alexander Weithorn (23)
During a traffic stop, officers found Weithorn in possession of a concealed firearm and ammunition stored improperly in a backpack. He was arrested for violating vehicle code firearm regulations.
Time/Date: Friday, January 10
Incident: Traffic Stop
Location: 4th Street and Alta Avenue
Suspect: Markhi Toles (19), Joshua Charles (19), Fernando Garcia Jr. (21), Khamari Toles (18)
A vehicle with tinted windows and mismatched license plates was stopped. Inside, officers found tools commonly used for burglary, key fobs, and programming devices. All suspects were arrested for conspiracy to commit a felony and vehicle theft.
Time/Date: Saturday, January 11
Incident: Burglary
Location: 400 Block of San Vicente
Suspect: Joshua Kaliel Love (28)
A traffic officer reported a suspicious individual rummaging through storage areas in an apartment building. Love was arrested for burglary and possession of methamphetamine.
Time/Date: Saturday, January 11
Incident: Traffic Stop
Location: 100 Block of 10th Street
Suspect: Adrian Moreno Hernandez (48), Moises Becerra Garcia (48), Carmen Alicia Lopez (55)
A vehicle displaying an altered license plate was stopped. Officers discovered burglary tools, narcotics, and drug paraphernalia. Hernandez, Garcia, and Lopez faced multiple charges, including possession of forged plates and narcotics.
Time/Date: Saturday, January 11
Incident: Pedestrian Stop
Location: Ocean Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard
Suspect: Phillip Michael Briones (31)
Briones was arrested for curfew violations and possession of narcotics and paraphernalia.
Time/Date: Sunday, January 12
Incident: Traffic Stop
Location: Lincoln Boulevard and Montana Avenue
Suspect: Timyan Exequiel Mujica (20)
Officers stopped a vehicle for expired registration and discovered Mujica had a felony warrant for grand theft. A search revealed 24 pairs of sunglasses and prescription frames.
The catastrophic wildfires in the region have claimed at least 25 lives, destroyed over 12,000 structures, and burned more than 60 square miles. The two largest fires remain active threats:
- Palisades Fire: Over 23,000 acres burned, with 18% containment.
- Eaton Fire: Approximately 14,000 acres burned, with 27% containment.
Santa Monica Police Chief Ramon Batista praised his department and mutual aid partners for their commitment during this crisis:
“I am grateful for the unwavering dedication and professionalism of all the officers and professional staff in the SMPD. Over the past seven days, while the fires in Palisades tested the resilience of many, each of them stood strong, ensuring that the city of Santa Monica remained safe and secure. I am also grateful for the collaboration with our mutual aid partners who supported us on the front lines and the National Guard for helping us secure the evacuation zones and maintain entry and exit points to the closed areas,” Batista said.
As recovery efforts continue, the SMPD remains vigilant in enforcing public safety within evacuation zones while the broader region grapples with the devastating impact of the wildfires.