A couple was arrested after posing as firefighters while trying to drive a fake fire truck into an evacuation zone near the Palisades Fire District, authorities in Los Angeles said.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office confirmed to Fox News Digital that Dustin Neal, 31, and Jennifer Neal, 44, were arrested for impersonating firefighters and entering an evacuation zone.
Officials said a Los Angeles Police Department patrol unit was driving through the Palisade Fire Zone with fire crews and noticed a fire truck that did not appear to be legal.
Officers were contacted and said people in the fake fire truck were trying to enter the evacuation area.
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The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office said two people from Oregon were arrested for impersonating firefighters near the Palisades Fire. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department/AP Photo/Jae C. Hong/AP Photo/Ethan Swope, File)
As they approached the truck, deputies noticed both suspects were wearing firefighting uniforms, officials said.
The occupants claimed to be from the Roaring River Fire Department in Oregon. However, deputies learned the unit was not legal and the truck was purchased at auction.
The fire truck has been impounded by authorities.
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Officials said the two passengers were wearing CAL-Fire T-shirts under their firefighting uniforms and were wearing helmets and radios.
The couple admitted to deputies that they had entered an evacuation zone.
Authorities discovered that Dustin Neal had a criminal record in Oregon, including criminal mischief and arson.
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On January 11, 2025, the Palisades Fire broke out near the Brentwood community of Los Angeles. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu, Getty Images)
Investigators will file the case with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office on Tuesday.
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As of January 12, approximately 29 people arrested So far, Los Angeles is investigating criminal activity related to the ongoing wildfires.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said 25 of those arrested were from the Eaton Fire area and four were from the Palisades Fire evacuation zone.
Fox News Digital's Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a contributor for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com