The identities of nearly a dozen attempted burglary suspects within Palisades Fire evacuation zones in Santa Monica were recently disclosed by the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), with none of them being residents of the town, as per police authorities.
Six of the 10 suspects were in possession of “burglary tools,” according to officials. All traveled to the disaster area from out of town.
The department has arrested 39 people in evacuation zones since the start of the Palisades Fire, SMPD told Fox News.Â
In instances where individuals were not formally charged with attempted burglary, they were apprehended for breaching curfew regulations, drug possession, outstanding warrants, parole and probation violations, and various other offenses.
opened on their phones, according to police.
Following the identification by a plate reader of a car being driven by Gabriel Isaih Stokes, 27, in Santa Monica as a stolen vehicle, the department reported his arrest. Stokes was discovered in possession of a stolen California ID, counterfeit IDs, tools commonly associated with burglary, a black beanie, a ski mask, and large bags, the police department stated.
Nancy Belanger pours water on a neighbor’s fire-ravaged property in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 9, 2025. (AP/Jae C. Hong)
Stokes was previously charged with burglary, robbery and grand theft, officials said.
