Alleged Eaton Fire Looters Face Pretrial Hearing Wednesday

Two people accused of looting homes during the deadly Eaton Fire are scheduled for a pretrial hearing Wednesday morning in Pasadena Superior Court.

Lucia Jilrara Perez, 36, and Rudy Salazar, 19, each face two counts of first-degree residential burglary. Prosecutors allege they entered evacuated homes in Altadena and stole property as the wildfire raged through the community.

The hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. in Department B at Pasadena Courthouse, 300 E. Walnut St. Judge Rita L. Badhan will preside.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty at their Jan. 10 arraignment.

The Eaton Fire ignited Jan 7, burned 14,117 acres and destroyed more than 9,414 structures.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced charges against the pair as part of a broader crackdown on wildfire-related crimes.

“If you exploit this tragedy to prey on victims of these deadly fires, we will find you and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” Hochman said at a Jan. 12 press conference.

By Jan. 9, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department had arrested 20 people for looting in evacuation zones. By Jan. 24, the district attorney’s office announced 25 individuals faced wildfire-related charges, including looting and arson.

Residential burglaries in Altadena surged 450% in the months following the fire compared to the same period in 2024, according to sheriff’s department data.

First-degree residential burglary is always a felony in California. The charge carries a potential sentence of two, four or six years in state prison and up to a $10,000 fine per count.

“These crimes are appalling and represent a direct attack on our community during a time of unprecedented loss and vulnerability,” Hochman said.

Persons accused of crimes are not guilty of having actually committed those acts unless convicted.