Los Angeles, Ca
Suspects allegedly posing as firefighters in Palisades had fake fire engine
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – A man and a woman from Oregon were arrested over the weekend for reportedly impersonating firefighters as they attempted to enter a Palisades Fire evacuation zone in what appeared to be a legitimate fire engine, officials announced Sunday.
In a news release, officials with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department said the suspects, identified as 31-year-old Dustin Nehl and 44-year-old Jennifer Nehl, were spotted by LAPD patrol officers on Jan. 18.
Not believing the fire truck was legitimate, police relayed the information to sheriff’s deputies, who caught up to the suspects.
LASD said that when they contacted the man and woman, the pair were both dressed in “turnout gear,” which is the protective clothing worn by firefighters responding to a fire, had Cal Fire shirts underneath the gear and were also in possession of helmets and radios.
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A man and a woman dressed in firefighting gear in the Palisades Fire area were arrested on Jan. 18, 2025, in a decommissioned fire truck bought at auction. (LASD) -
A man and a woman dressed in firefighting gear in the Palisades Fire area were arrested on Jan. 18, 2025, in a decommissioned fire truck bought at auction. (LASD) -
A man and a woman dressed in firefighting gear in the Palisades Fire area were arrested on Jan. 18, 2025, in a decommissioned fire truck bought at auction. (LASD) -
A man and a woman dressed in firefighting gear in the Palisades Fire area were arrested on Jan. 18, 2025, in a decommissioned fire truck bought at auction. (LASD) -
A man and a woman dressed in firefighting gear in the Palisades Fire area were arrested on Jan. 18, 2025, in a decommissioned fire truck bought at auction. (LASD) -
A man and a woman dressed in firefighting gear in the Palisades Fire area were arrested on Jan. 18, 2025, in a decommissioned fire truck bought at auction. (LASD)
“The occupants claimed to be from the ‘Roaring River Fire Department’ in Oregon,” the release stated. “Upon further investigation, the deputies learned that the department name was not a legitimate agency, and the truck was purchased at an auction.”
Investigators, who arrested the Oregon residents and impounded the firetruck, said the pair reportedly admitted to being in the evacuation zone a day earlier.
The relationship between the Nehls is unknown at this time, but authorities added that Dustin has a “criminal mischief” history in Oregon. Neither of the suspects, however, have criminal histories in California.
Authorities did not provide a motive for why the man and woman were attempting to enter the evacuation zone allegedly posing as firefighters or if they were facing any charges in addition “impersonating firefighters.”
LASD officials said the case will be presented to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday for filing consideration.
Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact LASD’s Major Crime Bureau at 562-946-7893. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.