By Jorge Casuso

January 17, 2025 -- Areas north of San Vicente Boulevard remained under curfew Friday, as the LA District Attorney's office filed charges against a burglary suspect who defied Santa Monica's evacuation orders.

Under the ongoing Evacuation Warning, residents North of San Vicente can voluntarily return but should be prepared to gather essentials and leave if conditions from the Palisades Fire worsen.

A curfew is still in effect in the area from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. "to protect evacuation zones from criminals who choose to loot or commit other crimes in these areas."

Santa Monica police have made over 40 arrests in evacuation zones since January 7 for crimes that include burglary, drug possession and outstanding warrants.

On Friday, DA Nathan Hochman announced charges filed against eight additional individuals in connection with eight alleged crimes -- including one in Santa Monica -- committed during the fire emergency.

The charges include felony arson, felony possession of ammunition by a felon, felony looting during mandatory evacuations and misdemeanor impersonation of a firefighter.

One of those charged was Joshua Love, 29, who was arrested by SMPD officers last Saturday night attempting to burglarize an apartment complex at 416 San Vicente.

Love was charged with one count each of felony looting during an emergency or evacuation, felony attempted second-degree burglary and felony unauthorized entry of closed disaster area.

He also faces three misdemeanor charges, including possession of burglary tools, after officers found a window punch, a glove and a ski mask in his possession. The DA alleges Love had previously been convicted of a serious and/or violent felony.

Love is being held on $160,000 bail. He pleaded not guilty at arraignment Tuesday. His preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for January 29. If convicted as charged, he faces seven years and two months in prison.

“To anyone who believes they can use this disaster as a cover for criminal activity, let this be your warning: you will be caught, and you will be held accountable,” Hochman said.

“The citizens of this county deserve safety and justice, especially in the wake of such unprecedented devastation, and I will not rest until we achieve both.”

Earlier this week, Hochman, along with Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, proposed urgency legislation to make looting during a local emergency in California a felony punishable by a state prison sentence.

“There is a special place in jail for those who exploit the vulnerable in the wake of deadly fires,” Hochman said.

“Opportunistic burglars and looters who target fire victims in their time of crisis are not only breaking the law—they are further deepening the suffering of those already facing unimaginable loss.

"These criminals deserve the harshest penalties, and current laws simply do not go far enough to ensure they are held fully accountable," Hochman said.