Hearing Date to Be Set for Four Suspects in Eaton Fire Looting Case

A preliminary hearing date is scheduled to be set Monday for four men accused of burglarizing an evacuated home during January’s devastating Eaton fire in Altadena.

Roy Sims, 18, Ryan Sims, 19, Naquan Dewey Reddix, 22, and Pierre Obannon, 19, face charges of first-degree residential burglary for allegedly entering the home on Jan. 8 and stealing various items, including an Emmy Award belonging to the resident.

The hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. in Department D of the Pasadena Courthouse.

According to authorities, the alleged burglary took place in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Jan. 8, during evacuations for the Eaton Fire. The suspects are accused of taking advantage of the emergency situation to enter the evacuated residence and steal property after residents were forced to flee under mandatory evacuation orders.

Roy and Ryan Sims remain in custody with bail set at $50,000 each, while Reddix and Obannon posted bail and were released, according to court records.

The defendants were charged on Jan. 10 and pleaded not guilty at their arraignment the same day.

If convicted, each defendant faces up to six years in state prison.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has taken a firm stance on the prosecution of crimes committed during natural disasters.

Hochman has publicly stated that those who exploit natural disasters will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities recovered stolen property, including an Emmy award, from suspects in Altadena.

The charges are part of a larger crackdown on looting during recent wildfires in Los Angeles County. Since the Eaton Fire began on Jan. 7, authorities have reported 57 burglaries and arrested 67 people for looting or burglary in the fire zone.

Law enforcement agencies have increased their presence in affected areas, deploying extra deputies, helicopter flyovers, drones and National Guard assistance to prevent further property crimes.

The four defendants are among nine people currently facing felony charges in connection with residential burglaries during the massive fires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades.

Authorities are emphasizing the severe impact these crimes have on victims who have already lost much due to the fires.