Couple arrested with fake fire truck in Los Angeles fire evacuation zone: Sheriff

Los Angeles authorities said a couple was arrested for impersonating firefighters after trying to enter an evacuation zone with a fake fire truck near… Palisades Fire District.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office Fox News Digital confirmed that Dustin Neal, 31, and Jennifer Neal, 44, were arrested on charges of impersonating a firefighter and entering an evacuation zone.

An LAPD patrol unit was driving through the Palisades Fire District with firefighters and noticed a fire truck that did not appear to be legitimate, officials said.

Officers contacted deputies and told them the individuals in the fake fire truck attempted to enter the evacuation zone.

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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)

Upon approaching the truck, officials said officers noticed both suspects were wearing turnout gear.

The passengers claimed to be from the Roaring River Fire Department in Oregon. However, deputies learned that the section was illegal, and the truck was purchased at auction.

The authorities seized the fire truck.

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Office is silent about the deputy who was in charge of the fire department, who was placed on leave over an alleged bomb threat.

The two riders were also wearing CAL-Fire shirts underneath their turnout gear, and had helmets and radios, officials said.

The couple admitted to deputies that they entered the evacuation zone.

Authorities revealed that Dustin Neal has a criminal history In Oregonincluding criminal mischief and arson.

2 more firebugs have shipped as new LA tough-on-crime game turns up the heat in the fight against thieves and arsonists.

The Palisades Fire near the Brentwood neighborhood in Los Angeles on January 11, 2025. (Tayfun Coskun/Anatolia via Getty Images)

Investigators will present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for consideration on Tuesday.

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As of January 12, there were approximately 29 people They were arrested in Los Angeles to date regarding criminal activity related to the ongoing wildfires.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said 25 of those arrested were in the Eaton Fire area, while four others came from the Palisades Fire evacuation zone.

Fox News Digital's Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.