Armed LA homeowners defend their homes from no-go zone
Defiant and armed Los Angeles homeowners in the burned-out community of Altadena took to the streets to protect the homes that remained standing — even as those streets were cordoned off by evacuation orders and police lines amid raging wildfires, residents said.
The authorities arrested at least a dozen people in connection with this looting and burningand prosecutors in Los Angeles and neighboring Orange County asked the governor to impose tougher sentences for looters.
Mike Leroy and Billy Theodorakopoulos, who ignored evacuation orders, told Fox News Digital they were protecting their neighborhood from looters.
KEY PHONE NUMBERS FOR LOS ANGELES AREA RESIDENTS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP THEM
“Looters will be shot,” read a sign outside a home in Altadena, California, at the center of the aftermath of the California wildfires. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
At first, they stayed behind to protect their homes with garden hoses, kept their roofs and yards as wet as possible, and directly fought the garage fire, which reached the car’s fuel tank. Firefighters joined them in a short time and helped contains flamesbut then moved on to other emergencies.
They decided to stay and stop the looters.
I named it “Texadena” because we all carry guns.
NEW CRIME ADDED IN LA, 2 MORE FIREFIGHTERS CHARGED AS FIGHT AGAINST LOGGERS AND ARSONISTS
“We had an early incident,” Leroy said. “But then nothing. We’ve been seeing a lot of patrols, especially the last few nights.”
He said they slept for several hours between patrols and were searching.
“Looters will be shot,” read a sign outside a home in Altadena, California, at the center of the aftermath of the California wildfires. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
Theodorakopoulos’ wife, Maggie, said that amid the chaos, she began calling Altadena by a new name.
“Now I named it ‘Texadena’ because we all walk around with our guns and stuff,” he joked.
Without electricity, the storage units set up a makeshift camp with a solar-powered shower.
CALIFORNIA POLICE WARN FIREFIGHTER VIDEO CAPTURES FIRE DEPARTMENT
The couple said they hope more neighbors will join them.
“We need the neighbors to come home so we can take a break,” Theodorakopoulos said. “And No. 2, we need more vigilance. … There’s only six people in a three-block radius to cover all of this, and there’s a lot more territory.”
Aaron Lubeley, a local attorney, said earlier this week The Wall Street Journal Her affluent neighborhood suddenly felt tougher as friends from outside the perimeter dropped off supplies at holding stations like hers, which disobeyed evacuation orders.
Aaron Lubeley greets a neighbor taking milk and supplies outside his burned home for people affected by the Eaton Fire on January 14, 2025 in Altadena, California. (REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni)
“We feel like we’re in the Wild West,” he said.
The fires killed at least 24 people in a week. Authorities say they expect more deaths to be discovered.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
It is the looters and arsonists who are stirring up the problem.
Accordingly, evacuation orders are mandatory Los Angeles County The Sheriff’s Department is recommending an evacuation alert. Authorities are urging residents to pack up and be prepared to move with pets and important documents.
Fox News’ Max Bacall contributed to this report.
English