On Saturday, two people from Oregon were taken into custody after officials discovered them impersonating firemen while attempting to enter an evacuation zone for the Palisades Fire.
Dustin Nehl, age 31, and Jennifer Nehl, age 44, were taken into custody after officers from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department discovered them operating a fire vehicle that they had purchased at auction and claiming to represent the “Roaring River Fire Department” in Oregon, which does not exist any longer.
The two suspects were discovered by the deputies while they were dressed in firefighter turnout gear and CAL Fire t-shirts. They were also armed with helmets and radios.
It was reported by the authorities that the two individuals admitted to entering the evacuation zone the day before.
An earlier criminal record in Oregon includes convictions for criminal mischief and arson, among other offenses. Dustin Nehl has a criminal background. In the state of California, neither of the suspects has a criminal record.
The unusual vehicle was initially brought to the notice of the public when a patrol unit of the Los Angeles Police Department, supported by fire personnel, discovered what seemed to be an unauthorized fire engine in the vicinity.
At the time that the suspects were attempting to enter an evacuation zone, the vehicle was stopped by deputies from the sheriff’s office.
Impersonating firefighters and entering an evacuation zone are two of the allegations that have been brought against both defendants.
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On Tuesday, the District Attorney’s Office for Los Angeles County will examine the case in order to determine whether or not to file charges.
The fire vehicle was confiscated by the authorities, and items of firefighting equipment were collected as evidence. Anyone who may have information regarding the investigation is asked to get in touch with the Major Crimes Bureau of the sheriff’s office at the following number: 562-946-7853. Information can be provided to Los Angeles Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 in an anonymous manner.
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In addition, officials from the California Fire Department published a statement addressing the incident:
According to the statement, “We are concerned about reports of individuals impersonating firefighters to gain access to restricted fire zones. This kind of behavior is not only illegal, but also represents a serious betrayal of the trust the public places in firefighters. Our crews work tirelessly, often putting themselves in harm’s way, to protect lives, property and communities. For someone to exploit that trust for personal gain or other purposes undermines the integrity of our mission and puts everyone – residents, responders, and even those impersonators – at greater risk.”
“We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately, and we thank our law enforcement partners for their dedication in protecting our communities. Rest assured, we are taking every measure to ensure that only authorized personnel are operating in the area, and we will continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our communities.” the statement continued.
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