Looter Wearing 'Palisades Strong' Shirt Arrested After Stealing From Burned Home: CHP

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — A woman has been arrested on suspicion of looting a burned-down Pacific Palisades home, according to authorities, who shared a photo of the handcuffed suspect wearing a "Palisades Strong" t-shirt.

California Highway Patrol officers were notified at around 1 p.m. Friday about a looting underway at the Palisades home. They responded to the scene, but could not locate the suspect, the CHP said in a release.

Using a detailed description of the woman and her vehicle provided by the victim, officers determined the vehicle was registered to an address in Valencia, police said.

CHP officers arrested the suspect at the address. She was found in possession of antique items stolen from the Palisades home, police said.

The woman, Karen Mastey, was arrested on suspicion of grand theft, police said.

"I am incredibly proud of the swift action taken by our officers to protect the public and prevent further harm. Their commitment to serving and assisting those in need during this challenging period reflects the highest standards of the CHP," CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris said.

At least two dozen people have been arrested in connection to looting homes within evacuation zones connected to the January wildfires. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has vowed to crack down hard on those accused of stealing from fire victims.

In one case, a group of burglars stole more than $200,000 worth of valuables from a home in Mandeville Canyon, the Los Angeles Times reported. Another is accused of stealing an Emmy Award from an Altadena home.

State lawmakers and Hochman are backing proposed legislation aimed at stopping looters and others who would take advantage of property owners in fire zones. The bill, AB 469, has bipartisan support in Sacramento.

It would make looting a felony instead of a misdemeanor and increase possible prison sentences to four years instead of one, and comes as law enforcement agencies have reported attempted burglaries of fire-damaged properties and more elaborate attempts to take advantage of victims in the Palisade and Eaton fire disaster zones.

City News Service contributed to this report.