Valencia lady arrested after allegedly looting antiques from house destroyed by Palisades Fireplace

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. (CNS) — A Valencia lady has been arrested for allegedly looting a residence in Pacific Palisades that was severely impacted by the Palisades Fireplace, authorities introduced Saturday.

Officers from the California Freeway Patrol’s West Valley Space workplace have been notified at about 1 p.m. Friday of looting occurring at a residence in Pacific Palisades, officers stated. They responded to the scene however have been unable to find the suspect. The sufferer offered an in depth description of the suspect and her car, which officers decided was registered to an deal with in Valencia, the company stated.

Officers from the CHP’s Newhall Space Workplace responded to the deal with and arrested the suspect, who allegedly was present in possession of vintage objects stolen from the residence.

Authorities stated the suspect, recognized as Karen Mastey, was noticed stealing from a burned-down residence and was arrested on suspicion of grand theft and booked on the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division’s Santa Clarita Valley station.

“I am incredibly proud of the swift action taken by our officers to protect the public and prevent further harm. Their commitment to serving and assisting those in need during this challenging period reflects the highest standards of the CHP,” CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris stated.

State lawmakers and Los Angeles County District Lawyer Nathan Hochman are backing proposed laws geared toward stopping looters and others who would reap the benefits of property homeowners in fireplace zones. The invoice, AB 469, has bipartisan help in Sacramento.

It could make looting a felony as a substitute of a misdemeanor and enhance doable jail sentences to 4 years as a substitute of 1, and comes as legislation enforcement businesses have reported tried burglaries of fire-damaged properties and extra elaborate makes an attempt to reap the benefits of victims within the Palisade and Eaton fireplace catastrophe zones.