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.
Los Angeles, Ca
Boyle Heights warehouse cleanup begins as crews face 85 million pounds of spoiled food
Cleanup efforts are underway Thursday at the Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse that burned for eight days after firefighters officially declared the massive blaze knocked down Wednesday evening. Los Angeles Fire Department crews remain at the Lineage warehouse near Union Pacific Avenue and South La Puente Street as they transition into the overhaul phase, searching for […]
A hospital needs help identifying a male patient who was found injured and unconscious in downtown Los Angeles.
The man is believed to be in his 30s, according to the Los Angeles General Medical Center.
He was found injured on the ground on Omar Street and has been hospitalized since June 22.
He stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 176 pounds. He has brown eyes, dark brown hair and tattoos across his upper body.
He did not have any personal belongings to help staff identify him or contact loved ones. Workers did not disclose the nature of his injuries.
Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to call clinical social worker Cesar Robles at 323-409-6885.
The public can also call the L.A. General Medical Center’s Department of Social Work at 323-409-5253 or, after hours from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., call 323-409-6883. On weekends, call 323-409-5254.
Police are asking the public for help Wednesday in identifying a hit-and-run driver who left a woman badly injured in Long Beach late last month. The May 24 crash occurred around 11 p.m. as the victim was crossing East 2nd Street, according to the Long Beach Police Department. Video provided by police showed a dark-colored […]
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