Looting Suspect Arrested in Malibu in Firefighter Gear, LA County Sheriff Says

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Sunday that he saw the arrest of an unusually costumed looting suspect in Malibu.

"When I was out there in the Malibu area, I saw a gentleman that looked like a firefighter. And I asked him if he was okay because he was sitting down. I didn't realize we had him in handcuffs," Luna recalled to reporters. "We are turning him over to LAPD because he was dressed like a fireman, and he was not. He just got caught burglarizing a home. So those are issues that our front line deputies and police officers are dealing with."

The firefighter imposter was one of 29 people who had been arrested on suspicion of looting in Los Angeles since the wildfire disaster started last week, officials told Fox .

Sheriff Luna said 25 of those arrested were in the area of the Eaton Fire east of the city, while four others came from the Palisades Fire evacuated zone on the West Side.

Officials caution that burned areas remain dangerous even if no longer on fire. There is a threat from downed power lines and toxic materials from burned plastics and other composite materials, they said.