California officials propose harsher penalties for looting

California officials are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to increase the penalty for looting during an emergency.

The proposal by LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer would do the following: 

  • Increase punishment for looting (PC 463) to 2 year-3 year-4-year state prison felony (from 16 months-2 year-3-year county jail wobbler).
  • Create new felony looting offense of trespass with intent to commit larceny, 2 year-3 year-4-year state prison felony.
  • Create new looting enhancement, adding 1-2-3 years for any felony offense committed during a local emergency.
  • Requires judicial review prior to release of anyone arrested for looting (i.e., no cite and release).
  • Designates looting (PC 463) as a serious offense under California’s Three Strikes law.
  • Excludes looting from eligibility for diversion.

"There is a special place in jail for those who exploit the vulnerable in the wake of deadly fires," said Hochman. "As hundreds of thousands of families face the unimaginable anguish of fleeing their homes, uncertain whether they’ll ever return, the last thing they should fear is the added trauma of criminals preying on their misfortune."

"These criminals deserve the harshest penalties, and current laws simply do not go far enough to ensure they are held fully accountable," he added.

Spitzer echoed the same sentiment. 

"Last week, thousands of people across Los Angeles left their homes on a windy day not knowing that a few hours later everything they own would be reduced to a pile of ash and the clothes on their back," said Spitzer. "Current law falls woefully short for punishing these scavengers who are nothing more than graverobbers, stealing the last remaining possessions from those who have already lost everything, including their own lives... we are urging Governor Newsom and the state Legislature to enact this urgency legislation and help hold these criminals accountable for their crimes."

The proposal comes as arrests made during the deadly Los Angeles wildfires continue to increase. Since last week, an estimated 97 suspects have been arrested in fire zones for charges including burglary, looting, and vandalism.

On Wednesday, Hochman's office said felony charges were filed against two men in connection with two separate arson cases — one in the City of Industry and another in the city of Irwindale.

A curfew continues to be in effect nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the mandatory evacuation zones of both fires. Only firefighters, utility workers and law enforcement personnel are allowed in those areas. 

The Source: Information for this story is from the LA County District Attorney's Office.



 


 

Crime and Public SafetyWildfires