SANTA MONICA/BRENTWOOD—On Friday, January 24, the LADA announced more charges against individuals who committed crimes during the recent wildfires that plagued Southern California.
Two more individuals have been charged in connection with the ongoing wildfires — bringing the total number of individuals charged in fire-related cases to 25. The latest cases include felony charges of first-degree residential burglary and attempt to burn in Santa Monica and Brentwood.
Ivan Ruiz, 35, of Moreno Valley is charged with one count of felony first-degree residential burglary and one count of felony looting during an emergency or evacuation: 2nd degree burglary in case 25ARCF00131. It is further alleged that Ruiz carried out the offense with planning, sophistication, and professionalism within the California Rules of Court; has had prior convictions; and had served in prison and county jail.
On January 20, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Ruiz allegedly broke into a detached garage with living quarters above it in the 100 block of Mabery Road in Santa Monica. The property was located within an evacuation zone during a state of emergency, and Ruiz is accused of stealing items from the premises.
He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment January 22 and his preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for February 7, Dept. 31 of the Airport Courthouse. He is being held on $100,000 bail. If convicted as charged, he faces six years in prison. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Christopher Reimers, 54, of Los Angeles is charged with one count of felony attempt to burn in case 25ARCF00136. He faces aggravating circumstances of increasing seriousness of prior convictions and having a prior county jail or prison term.
Reimers is being held on $75,000 bail. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on January 22 and his 1368 PC report/nonappearance is set for Dept. 30 of the Airport Courthouse. If convicted as charged, he faces three years in prison.
On January 18, at approximately 1:45 p.m., he allegedly used a butane torch to ignite a brown bag filled with plastic and paper. He allegedly placed a flannel shirt over the burning bag and positioned it beneath a USPS mailbox at the intersection of San Vicente Boulevard and Montana Avenue in Brentwood. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.
The charges filed in these cases are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
By Trevor