Firefighters in Los Angeles stopped a group of suspected looters trying to steal an Emmy Award. The incident happened on January 18, 2025, in the Eaton Fire evacuation zone in Altadena. The looters had taken the Emmy, awarded in 2002 for news and documentaries, along with a Sharp Award from 2016-17, from a fire-damaged home.
Firefighters Stand Up Against Looting
One firefighter firmly told the suspects, "No way, you are not doing this." They blocked the looters' vehicle until deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office arrived.
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Police Recover Stolen Emmy Award
When the deputies arrived, they found the stolen awards, still labeled with the rightful owner's name. The suspects had tried to deny looting and escape in a pickup truck, but firefighters stopped them.
NEW: Firefighters stopped a burglary suspect accused of looting at the Eaton Fire. When deputies responded, they discovered a stolen 2002 Emmy Award and 2016 Sharp Award with the victim’s name on it. The suspect was arrested and charged with burglary. #EatonFire pic.twitter.com/XoOqeh8Byo
— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) January 17, 2025
District Attorney Issues Warning
L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman condemned the looters, calling their actions "appalling." He assured that anyone exploiting wildfire tragedies would face strict legal action. So far, at least nine people have been arrested for looting in evacuation zones.