SAN BERNARDINO (AP/CNN/KRON) — Authorities say three people have been arrested on suspicion of grand theft auto and looting for attempting to steal a flatbed truck and other items from a house that was evacuated because of a Southern California wildfire.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said deputies responded to a call Thursday morning reporting three suspicious people, who told the deputies they were picking up property for the owner.
Deputies called the homeowner who told them he made no such request.
Firefighters said the Blue Cut fire‘s erratic behavior is reason enough for looters and evacuees to stay away.
“Do not engage that fire or put yourself in a situation where you could be a victim of this fire,” Cal Fire spokesman Frank Mosbacher said.
The Blue Cut fire is 40 percent contained and has engulfed 37,020 acres.
More than 15,000 fire personnel are on-scene since the fire flared up on Tuesday.