Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALTADENA - Upwards of 400 National Guard troops deployed in the Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire burn areas overnight as both blazes continue to eat away hillsides and communities.

National Guard troops were seen stationed at the Eaton Fire perimeter Thursday night providing traffic control and critical infrastructure protection so Sheriff’s deputies can patrol neighborhoods to stave off looters. 20 such looters have been arrested so far in both the Eaton and Palisades fires.

The Eaton Fire has grown, albeit slowly, to 13,690 acres. It is 3 percent contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Five residents died and five firefighters were injured.

More than 7,000 structures may have been destroyed or damaged, according to damage assessment teams and aerial image overlays.

Air operations fighting the Palisades Fire lost an aircraft after one of two Canadian-leased Super Scooper planes struck a civilian drone illegally flying in a fire zone. The plane was landed safely, but one wing tip was punctured and needs repair.

Aircraft fighting the Eaton Fire worked mostly in the northeast perimeter near Chantry Flats above Arcadia where fire growth was seen.

Around 500 Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies are assigned with protecting burn areas both in the Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire burn areas, guarding both means of ingress and egress, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.

An additional 100 deputies from surrounding counties are being requested, Luna said.

County booking records show seven arrests were made since the Eaton Fire began:

Rudy Salazar, 19
Arrested January 8
Booked on suspicion of 2nd-degree burglary during a state of emergency

Lucia Perez, 41
Arrested January 8
Booked on suspicion of 2nd-degree burglary during a state of emergency

Roy Sims, 18
Arrested January 8
Booked on suspicion of grand theft during a state of emergency

Ryan Sims, 19
Arrested January 8
Booked on suspicion of grand theft during a state of emergency

Naquan Reddix, 22
Arrested January 8
Booked on suspicion of grand theft during a state of emergency

Pierie Obannon, 19
Arrested January 8
Booked on suspicion of 2nd-degree burglary during a state of emergency

Loren Howse, 34
Arrested January 9
Booked on suspicion of 2nd-degree burglary during a state of emergency

Critical fire weather concerns will continue across the LA Basin and SoCal through Friday morning. Santa Ana winds will begin to tapper off midday Friday and into Saturday. Continue to take precautions and avoid activities that could start fires, according to the National Weather Service.

ALTADENA - Four residential burglaries, a petty theft from an unlocked vehicle and a vehicle burglary were reported in a nearly 12-hour period October 29, deputies said.

The crimes were publicized in the Altadena Sheriff’s Station weekly crime blotter.

A residential burglary occurred in the 1700 block of East Mendocino Street between 7:10 a.m. and 2 p.m. A suspect or suspects entered the home through unknown means. It is unclear what was stolen, deputies said.

A residential burglary was reported in the 3600 block of Monterosa Drive between 10:55 a.m. and 8:35 p.m. A rear sliding glass door was shattered to gain entry. Jewelry was taken from the home in a yellow pillow case, deputies said.

ALTADENA - The first week of July saw three vehicle burglaries, three petty thefts from vehicles and a vehicle was even stolen, deputies said.

half of the burglaries and petty thefts occurred through unlocked vehicles doors and one vehicle was accessed by breaking a window, according to the Altadena Sheriff’s Station.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

ALTADENA - Six boys, ranging in age from 12 to 15, were found and arrested after fleeing their youth facility, burglarizing two home and fleeing deputies Sunday afternoon.
 
The boys were accused of taking several firearms, including handguns, rifles and a pellet gun from a home in the 500 block of Mountain View around 2:15 p.m. The boys then burglarized a second home in the 600 block of Mountain View, discovered one hour later, said Lt. Gary Harman of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station.
 
The boys were being cared for at the Sycamores School, 2933 El Nido Dr. in Altadena, Harman said.
 
Deputies responding to the second burglary almost immediately detained a 13-year-old boy and later detained a second boy, possibly 12, Harman said.
 
Two more boys fled the second home, but were later found in a containment area set up by responding deputies.
 
The sixth outstanding boy later returned to Sycamores School. Staff notified deputies who took the boy into custody.
 
All stolen weapons were recovered, Harman said.
 
The boys, facing at least burglary charges, were taken to the Barry J. Nordof Juvenile Hall in Sylmar.

Written by AARON CASTREJON | CityWatch Editor

ALTADENA - At least one suspect is outstanding after a home burglary was reported Sunday afternoon, a Sheriff’s sergeant said.

Deputies are still searching for a suspect linked to a home burglary, which was reported at 3:15 p.m., said Sgt. Taylor of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station.

A wide containment search is in progress in the general area of Casitas Avenue and Figueroa Drive.

Taylor had yet to speak to his field supervisor who is at the containment search to confirm how many teens were involved in the burglary and if weapons were taken in the home.

According to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s radio traffic, multiple weapons, including what was initially described as an “AR,” likely referring to an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle.

Several teens were initially reported in custody.