LA Streets are Becoming the ‘Wild, Wild West’ [WATCH]

Amid the ongoing wildfires ravaging Southern California, reports of looters targeting evacuated homes have added another layer of chaos for affected residents.

Allison Agsten, a resident in the Los Angeles area, told KTLA on Thursday that her neighbor witnessed around 100 individuals on scooters attempting to break into homes in her neighborhood.

“We just started seeing all these cars pull up,” Agsten said.

“Doors open, and groups of men are running up our street, going up to the doors of these houses. My next-door neighbor said, his quote, ‘there were like a hundred people that came up on scooters and were trying to get into any and all houses.’”

HUNDREDS OF LOOTERS INVADE PALISADES NEIGHBORHOOD

‘Cars pull up, doors open, and groups of men run up to the doors of evacuated houses. There were 100 people who came up on scooters and were trying to get into any and all houses.’pic.twitter.com/F86N1AzmlI

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) January 10, 2025

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Jesse Watters weighed in, calling the streets of Los Angeles the ‘Wild West.’

‘Looters on Scooter’: LA Streets are Turning into the ‘Wild, Wild West’

In the aftermath of severe wildfires in LA, the community faces devastation with 11 deaths, numerous missing persons, and a destruction of land comparable to San Francisco’s size.

The fires have left a… pic.twitter.com/spN6K8u3Lw

— RVM News (@redvoicenews) January 11, 2025

In response to these reports, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of 8,000 California National Guard troops on Thursday to secure fire-affected zones.

The announcement followed statements from Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, who confirmed the arrest of 20 individuals suspected of looting in areas evacuated due to the fires.

“Looting will not be tolerated. These communities have suffered enough,” Governor Newsom posted on X (formerly Twitter). “The National Guard deployment will bring our total on-the-ground personnel to 8,000. We will continue to use every resource available to keep our communities safe.”

Looting will not be tolerated. These communities have suffered enough.

The National Guard deployment will bring our total on-the-ground personnel to 8,000.

We will continue to use every resource available to keep our communities safe. https://t.co/8rw9SsfcWK

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 10, 2025

Madisen Keavy, a reporter for KCAL News, confirmed that her crew’s cameras had captured three men on scooters turning away after spotting police.

She spoke with a homeowner who said she was considering leaving the area but was doing everything possible to secure her house before departing.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman condemned the looting, pledging strict consequences for those found guilty. “They’ll be looking at going to jail. They’ll be looking at going to prison. They’ll be looking to pay back anything they stole. They’ll be looking at community service,” Hochman told NewsNation’s Ashleigh Banfield.

“There isn’t a type of punishment we won’t consider for them, because basically I view these crimes as despicable.”

Hochman added, “The day and age of a DA’s office standing on the sidelines is over. We want to bring justice, and we will.”

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger echoed these sentiments during a Thursday press conference.

“I promise you, you will be held accountable. Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis.”

Despite Agsten’s claims and reports by local outlets, a spokesperson for the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department told the Daily Caller News Foundation that law enforcement had not received any reports of “scooter-riding thieves” in the area.

The department acknowledged the arrests of suspected looters but stated that no specific incidents involving scooters had been reported.

As of Thursday night, the L.A. County Medical Examiner confirmed 10 fire-related fatalities.

The Palisades Fire, the largest of six major wildfires burning in Southern California, has reached only 8% containment, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The fires have forced approximately 180,000 residents to evacuate their homes, leaving communities vulnerable to both natural destruction and criminal activity.

The dual crises of wildfires and looting have left residents feeling unsafe and uncertain. Officials have urged residents to report any suspicious activity and remain vigilant.

The National Guard deployment, coupled with increased law enforcement presence, aims to provide some measure of security for communities grappling with the aftermath of this disaster.

The situation remains fluid as firefighters continue battling the blazes and authorities work to maintain order in the affected areas.

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