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Los Angeles burglary suspect disguised as firefighter, as looting arrests reach about 29 people: sheriff

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Los Angeles burglary suspect disguised as firefighter, as looting arrests reach about 29 people: sheriff

A previous version of this article included photographs of an individual in a yellow jacket, including photographs showing the individual’s hands behind his back.  A police spokesman subsequently told Fox News that this individual was questioned and released and that police determined that he was not involved in any criminal activity.  A representative for the individual explained that he is “a former CDF firefighter” who was “mistakenly, briefly, detained” solely “on suspicion of trespass” when he was in the area assisting a victim of the Palisades fire who had hired him to retrieve “a sentimental item.”

Approximately 29 people have been arrested in Los Angeles so far in connection to criminal activity related to the ongoing wildfires, including a burglary suspect who allegedly attempted to disguise himself as a firefighter, officials said Sunday. 

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said 25 of those arrested were in the area of the Eaton Fire, while four others came from the Palisades Fire evacuated zone. 

“When I was out there in the Malibu area, I saw a gentleman that looked like a firefighter. And I asked him if he was okay because he was sitting down. I didn’t realize we had him in handcuffs,” Luna recalled to reporters. “We are turning him over to LAPD because he was dressed like a fireman, and he was not. He just got caught burglarizing a home. So those are issues that our front line deputies and police officers are dealing with.” 

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said one person was arrested Saturday night for violating a curfew order in the city, and three others were arrested the night before in connection to an alleged burglary. 

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LAPD RESPONDS TO KAMALA HARRIS’ CALIFORNIA HOME IN PALISADES FIRE EVACUATION ZONE, 2 MEN DETAINED: REPORTS

“There were three individuals in a vehicle. They were stopped. They were where they weren’t supposed to be. One had on a fire jacket and a fire hat. And he was additionally arrested for impersonating a firefighter,” McDonnell said. “We have people who will go to all ends to be able to do what it is they want to do to exploit the victims of this tragedy.” 

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna speaks during an Eaton Fire press conference on Jan. 9, 2025, at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.  ( Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

The chief warned that the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time curfew remained in effect from Sunday night into Monday. 

“Unless you’re a public safety personnel or some other disaster worker, you have no reason to be at these locations,” McDonnell said. “And if you are in those areas, you will be subject to arrest. Enforcing a curfew is an important tool to keep the burn areas and evacuated properties secure, keeping looters out. This effort also helps protect public safety personnel who are operating in darkness in very difficult conditions.” 

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He also said there was a threat from downed power lines and toxic materials from burned plastics and other composite materials. The chief warned people looking to donate to victims to take caution and research charities to verify their legitimacy. 

Firefighters battle to contain wildfires, which have scorched thousands of acres, and destroyed homes in Los Angeles on Jan. 12, 2024.  (Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)

DEATH TOLL FROM CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES RISES TO 16: LA MEDICAL EXAMINER

Luna issues a warning to scammers who intend to profit from burglaries or “white collar” crimes off the victims of the wildfires that he has been in close communication with local, state and federal prosecutors. 

“They are all eager to prosecute anybody who is taking advantage of our residents during this very difficult time, whether it is a burglary or it is some kind of white collar crime in a scam or anything that you may be thinking about doing,” he said. 

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At the press conference, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger said she sent a letter to President-elect Trump inviting him to visit the wildfire devastation.

A view of burned houses and cars in Pacific Palisades neighborhood during Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 11, 2025. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“I look forward to welcoming President-elect Trump to our communities so he can see the desperate need, but also the incredible opportunity, hope and perseverance of our impacted neighbors. It is in seeing this hope that I am confident that our communities will recover and rebuild,” she said. 

Barger and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said they both have been engaged in communication with high-level officials in the incoming administration, rejecting suggestions from a reporter who claimed there was any animosity. 

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Montana

Miley Cyrus teases Hannah Montana 20th anniversary: ‘You see the bangs’

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Miley Cyrus teases Hannah Montana 20th anniversary: ‘You see the bangs’


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Move over Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana is coming.

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The “Flowers” singer is revisiting her Disney Channel roots, donning the signature blonde look of the fictional popstar ahead of the sitcom’s 20th anniversary in March.

At the Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival on Jan. 3, Cyrus confirmed she is involved with plans for the milestone date.

“Absolutely. We’re working hard on them,” she told Variety.

While she said she couldn’t say more about what’s in store for fans, Cyrus pointed to her blonde hairstyle, adding, “You see the bangs.”

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Cyrus starred in the series alongside Emily Osment, Mitchel Musso and father Billy Ray Cyrus, between March 2006 and January 2011, and starred in the 2009 feature film “Hannah Montana: The Movie.” Under the Hannah Montana persona, she also released multiple platinum-selling soundtracks and headlined the Best of Both Worlds Tour, which grossed over $54 million.

What’s happening for the Hannah Montana 20th anniversary?

The Grammy-winning musician first teased plans for the anniversary in a July 22 interview on SiriusXM.

“I want to design something really, really special for it because it really was the beginning of all of this,” she said. “Without Hannah, there wouldn’t really be this me.”

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“It’s crazy to think that I started as a character that I thought was going to be impossible to shed, and now that’s something that when I walk into a space, it’s looked at as this sense of kind of, like, nostalgia or something that you have from your childhood,” she added. “So, that’s exciting to get to celebrate that.”

Will there be a Hannah Montana tour in 2026?

Cyrus has not announced plans to tour as “Hannah Montana” for the show’s 20th anniversary.

While exact anniversary plans remain under wraps, a tour seems unlikely, as Cyrus has previously expressed a lack of interest in touring.

During a May 2023 interview with British Vogue, the “Something Beautiful” singer added that while she enjoys performing for her friends, noting that “singing for hundreds of thousands of people isn’t really the thing that I love.”

Contributing: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY

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Nevada

Tahoe man loses $20K at Nevada casino and threatens to bomb facility before arrest, police say

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Tahoe man loses K at Nevada casino and threatens to bomb facility before arrest, police say


(FOX40.COM) — A man who lost $20,000 at a Nevada casino was arrested after he threatened to bomb the facility, according to law enforcement. • Video Above: History of Gambling in the U.S. Around 9:50 p.m. on Monday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to Harrah’s Casino after reports of a bomb threat. Deputies were […]



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New Mexico

Texas man charged with selling artist Fritz Scholder fakes to New Mexicans

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Texas man charged with selling artist Fritz Scholder fakes to New Mexicans





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