Monday, June 30, 2025

Four Men Face Monday Preliminary Hearing in Altadena Fire Looting Case

Defendants Accused of Stealing Property During Emergency Evacuation

Four men are set to appear in court Monday for a preliminary hearing on charges of residential burglary during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, with prosecutors alleging the men stole property from a home while the area was under emergency evacuation.

Roy Sims, Ryan Sims, Naquan Dewey Reddix and Pierre Obannon will face a judge in Department H of the Pasadena Courthouse.

The defendants are each charged with one count of first-degree residential burglary. Prosecutors allege they entered a home around 5 p.m. during the fire and stole multiple items, including an Emmy Award belonging to the resident.

All four men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

At the time of their arrests, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman warned potential looters: “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.”

Hochman previously stated that “these crimes are appalling and represent a direct attack on our community during a time of unprecedented loss and vulnerability.”

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case. Initially, three defendants were booked on suspicion of grand theft during a state of emergency, with Obannon booked on suspicion of second-degree burglary.

If convicted, each defendant faces up to six years in state prison. The Emmy Award allegedly stolen during the incident was later recovered.