Highway Patrol Arrests Woman for Suspected Looting of Fire-Damaged Home in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES—A woman from Valencia has been apprehended for allegedly raiding a home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood that suffered significant damage from the Palisades fire, authorities revealed on Saturday.
According to officials, officers from the California Highway Patrol’s West Valley Area office were alerted around 1 p.m. Friday regarding looting at a residence in Pacific Palisades. Although they hurried to the scene, the suspect was not found. The victim provided a thorough description of both the suspect and her vehicle, which officers traced back to an address in Valencia, as stated by the agency.
Subsequently, officers from the CHP’s Newhall Area Office visited the address and arrested the suspect, who was reportedly found with antique items taken from the residence.
Authorities identified the suspect as Karen Mastey, who was caught in the act of stealing from a residence that had burned down. She was taken into custody on suspicion of grand theft and booked at the Santa Clarita Valley station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
California Highway Patrol Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris expressed, “I am extremely proud of our officers’ prompt response to safeguard the public and avert further harm. Their dedication to supporting those in need during these challenging times exemplifies the highest standards of the CHP.”
In response to this issue, state lawmakers and Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman are advocating for legislation aimed at curbing looting and other exploitative actions against property owners in fire-affected areas. The proposed bill, Assembly Bill 469, has garnered bipartisan backing in Sacramento.
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This legislation aims to upgrade looting from a misdemeanor to a felony, extending potential prison sentences from one to four years, as law enforcement reports an increase in attempted burglaries of properties damaged by fires and more sophisticated efforts to exploit victims in the Palisades and Eaton fire disaster areas.
