April 4, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Two More Suspects Charged in Wildfire-Related Crimes, Bringing Total to 25 Suspects

LA County Prosecutors Have Filed Felony Charges of Burglary and Attempted Arson

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced that two additional individuals have been charged with crimes linked to the ongoing wildfires, bringing the total number of fire-related cases to 25. The latest charges include felony counts of first-degree residential burglary and attempted arson in Santa Monica and Brentwood.

“As I have stated from the beginning of this wildfire crisis, for those who commit crimes from looting to arson to impersonation of firefighters to price gouging to financial scams, justice will be swift and significant,” Hochman said in a statement. “You will be arrested, prosecuted, and punished to the full extent of the law. Targeting victims of these fires at their lowest moment is despicable and shameful, and this office will do everything in its power to support the victims and bring their victimizers to justice.”

Ivan Ruiz, 34, of Moreno Valley, has been charged with one count of felony first-degree residential burglary and one count of felony looting during an emergency. Prosecutors allege that Ruiz acted with “planning, sophistication, and professionalism” and that he has prior convictions, including time served in prison and county jail.

Ruiz was arraigned on January 22, pleading not guilty. He is being held on $100,000 bail, and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 7 in Department 31 of the Airport Courthouse. If convicted, he faces up to six years in prison.

Prosecutors say that on Jan. 20, around 3:45 p.m., Ruiz broke into a detached garage with an occupied living space above it on the 100 block of Mabery Road in Santa Monica. The property was in an evacuation zone during the state of emergency, and Ruiz was accused of stealing items from the premises.

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the case.

Christopher Reimers, 53, of Los Angeles, has been charged with one felony count of attempted arson. Prosecutors cite aggravating factors, including prior convictions and previous time served in jail or prison.

Reimers pleaded not guilty during his January 22 arraignment and is being held on $75,000 bail. A hearing regarding his mental competency under Penal Code section 1368 is scheduled in Department 30 of the Airport Courthouse. If convicted, he faces up to three years in prison.

Authorities allege that on January 18, at approximately 1:45 p.m., Reimers used a butane torch to ignite a brown bag filled with plastic and paper. He then covered the burning bag with a flannel shirt and placed it beneath a USPS mailbox at the intersection of San Vicente Boulevard and Montana Avenue in Brentwood.

The case is also being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

in News
Related Posts

Scoop Dreams Come True: Van Leeuwen Launches New Beverly Hills Shop

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Van Leeuwen’s Beverly Hills Opening Comes With Sweet Perks Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, a New York City-born brand celebrated for...

WeHo’s WeHappy Wednesdays Serve Up Big Discounts In Addition to Zero Parking Fees

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Free Parking and $5 Cocktails? WeHo Makes Wednesdays Worth It The City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Chamber...

Saijo Hand Roll Rolls into Culver City with Premium Japanese Ingredients

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Binchotan-Fired Perfection: Saijo Rolls Out Premium Sushi in West LA A new destination for hand rolls and Japanese culinary craftsmanship...

(Video) Check Out Bernie’s, a New Pop Up at Citizen Public Market in Culver City

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Made with fresh frozen fruit and a toasted merengue topping these flavors are irresistible. The pop up will be at...

From Cocktails to Coffee: U.S. Tariffs Threaten Imports, Jobs, and Your Grocery Bill

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Major Price Hikes Expected for Coffee, Wine, Chocolate, and Butter  A sweeping new set of tariffs announced by former President...

Levain Bakery to Open Venice Location with Special Guests and Charitable Twist

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Bigger Than a Cookie: Levain’s Venice Opening Is a Flavorful Fundraiser Levain Bakery, the cult-favorite cookie destination founded in New...

LAX Airport Server Finds Hate-Filled Message From Unidentified Diners

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Waiter Says He Was Stunned by the Message Left by Customers Guillermo Ortiz, who works at Planet Hollywood inside the...

Sunset Strip Staple Le Petit Four Shuts Down After Landlord Pulls the Plug

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

End of an Era: Le Petit Four Forced to Close in West Hollywood In a stunning reversal to the upbeat...

Metro LA Pushes Back Sepulveda Transit Community Meetings

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Environmental Review Delay Prompts Metro to Reschedule  Metro announced that community meetings scheduled for early April to discuss the Sepulveda...

County Board Approves New Homeless Agency, Redirecting Millions from Existing System

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

With Billions on the Line, LA County Moves to Centralize Homeless Response Los Angeles County is making a dramatic shift...

Put the Phone Down: LAPD and CHP Targets Distracted Drivers in April Crackdown

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Hands-Free Law Violations Could Now Cost You More Than Just a Fine Throughout April, the Los Angeles Police Department will...

Five Arrested in Culver City After Attempted Carjacking and Vandalism Incident

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Gun, Warrants, and Broken Glass: Culver City Police Tackle Two Crimes Police arrested four juveniles in connection with an attempted...

Kim Delaney, Partner Cleared After Weekend Arrest in Marina del Rey

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Emmy-Winning Actress and Partner James Morgan Released Kim Delaney, the Emmy-winning actress recognized for her roles in NYPD Blue and...

(Video) Spending an Afternoon at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Go To Pacpark.com For Tickets and More Information. Go To https://t.co/fDDgcY6b3e For Tickets and More Information.#amusementpark #rides #rollercoaster #summer #spring...

Matū Kai to Debut in Brentwood With Grass Fed Wagyu and Global Flair This Week

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Farm-To-Fork Beef, Wood-Fired Flavors, and Sustainability Meet on San Vicente The team behind Beverly Hills’ acclaimed steakhouse Matū will soon...