Los Angeles authorities said a couple was arrested for posing as firefighters after they tried to enter an evacuation zone with a fake fire truck nearby the Palisades Fire area.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Fox News Digital that Dustin Nehl, 31, and Jennifer Nehl, 44, were arrested for posing as a firefighter and entering an evacuation zone.
Officials said an LAPD patrol unit with fire personnel was driving through the Palisades Fire area and noticed a fire truck that did not appear to be legitimate.
The officers contacted deputies and advised that the individuals in the mock fire truck were attempting to enter an evacuation zone.
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The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office said two individuals from Oregon have been arrested for posing as firefighters near the Palisades Fire. (Los Angeles County Sheriffs Dept./AP Photo/Jae C. Hong/AP Photo/Ethan Swope, File)
As they approached the truck, officers said officers noticed both suspects were wearing gear.
The residents claimed to be from the Roaring River Fire Department in Oregon. However, deputies learned that the department was not legitimate and that the truck had been purchased at auction.
The fire truck was seized by authorities.
Officials said the two occupants also wore CAL-Fire t-shirts among the gear, and had helmets and radios.
The couple admitted to officers that they had entered the evacuation zone.
Authorities have discovered that Dustin Nehl has a criminal history in Oregonincluding criminal mischief and arson.
‘Palisades Fire’ near the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on January 11, 2025. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Investigators will present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday for consideration.
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As of January 12, approximately 29 people have been arrested to date in Los Angeles in connection with criminal activity related to the ongoing wildfires.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said 25 of those arrested were in the area of ​​the Eaton Fire, while four others were from the Palisades Fire evacuation zone.
Danielle Wallace of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected]
