A group of California firefighters stopped an alleged burglar from robbing a burning home and walking off with an Emmy that narrowly escaped the fiery carnage of the Eaton Fire.
Smoke eaters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department were working in the burning Altadena neighborhood Thursday when they came across two suspicious people leaving a property.
A firefighter encountered a woman – wearing a dark shirt and skirt over sweatpants – carrying possessions from the home including the prestigious award.
“There's no way what?” the suspected thief asked the firefighter as he exited a white pickup truck carrying the prize, according to LAFD Watchdog video obtained by Fox LA reporter Matthew Seedorf.
“No, you're not doing that,” the first responder said.
“This was our house. We tried to save all these people. You don't steal from them.”
The woman claimed she was not stealing and was protecting her neighborhood.
The firefighter walked away but turned around when the woman and her friend tried to get into the truck.
“You're not going anywhere,” the firefighter ordered.
Fox Los Angeles reported that the Emmy Award was awarded in the news and documentary category in 2002.
Besides the Emmy Award, the woman allegedly stole another award, the 2016 Sharp Award. Both awards bore the name of the rightful owner, whose name has not been publicly revealed.
The firefighter called to stop the engine in front of the suspect's white truck until police arrived.
Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office arrested the thieves.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has revealed nine more individuals charged with crimes related to the aftermath of the Eaton and Palisades fires.
The charges included felony arson, felony possession of ammunition by a felon, felony looting during mandatory evacuations, and misdemeanor impersonation of a firefighter.
Nine people were originally charged with crimes before Hochman's update on Friday.
Santa Monica police captured more than 40 vultures outside the city for allegedly preying on thousands of abandoned homes there and in neighboring Pacific Palisades.
Suspected criminals took advantage of residents fleeing devastating fires and robbed homes.
“To anyone who thinks 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. He added: “The citizens of this province deserve safety and justice, especially in the wake of this unprecedented devastation, and I will not rest until we achieve both.”
The deadly fires killed 27 people and destroyed more than 11,000 buildings after the raging inferno burned more than 40,000 acres since January 7, 2025.
