Friday, August 22, 2025

Defendants Face New Hearing in Altadena Fire Looting Case

Four men charged with residential burglary during Eaton Fire evacuation

A preliminary hearing is scheduled Friday for Pierre Obannon and three co-defendants in a residential burglary case stemming from alleged looting during the Eaton Fire in Altadena. 

Obannon, 19, along with Roy Sims, Ryan Sims, and Naquan Dewey Reddix, will appear in Pasadena Courthouse’s Department H to face charges of first-degree residential burglary. Prosecutors allege the men entered an evacuated home during the January 8 fire and stole multiple items, including an Emmy Award. 

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, all four defendants were charged on January 10 and pleaded not guilty at their arraignment. Each faces up to six years in state prison if convicted. 

Court documents reveal the alleged crime occurred at approximately 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. during mandatory evacuations for the Eaton Fire. Notably, Obannon was released on bail, while co-defendants Roy and Ryan Sims remain in custody with bail set at $50,000 each.

The stolen Emmy Award was later recovered by law enforcement, with video evidence showing a firefighter confronting one of the alleged looters. 

“No way, you are not doing this. We tried to save the homes of all these people. You’re not stealing from them,” the firefighter was quoted as saying. 

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has been vocal about prosecuting such crimes. 

“These crimes are appalling and represent a direct attack on our community during a time of unprecedented loss and vulnerability,” Hochman said in a press conference. “Let me be clear: 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.” 

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna highlighted the human toll of such crimes, stating,”What a sad situation that we even have to talk about this. People who have lost everything or almost everything up there are being re-victimized by individuals that are doing this.” 

The case highlights a significant increase in criminal activity in the area. Residential burglaries in Altadena jumped approximately 450 percent from January through April compared to the same period in the previous year. Overall crime in the area increased by 250 percent, prompting the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to establish a specialized Looter Suppression Team.

The preliminary hearing is set for Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the Pasadena Courthouse, located at 300 E. Walnut St. The men are all presumed innocent until proven guilty.