Suspects allegedly posing as firefighters in Palisades had fake fire engine

KTLA ^ | Jan 19, 2025 | Josh DuBose

[BenLurkin]

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – A man and a woman from Oregon were arrested over the weekend for reportedly impersonating firefighters as they attempted to enter a Palisades Fire evacuation zone in what appeared to be a legitimate fire engine, officials announced Sunday.

In a news release, officials with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department said the suspects, identified as 31-year-old Dustin Nehl and 44-year-old Jennifer Nehl, were spotted by LAPD patrol officers on Jan. 18.

Not believing the fire truck was legitimate, police relayed the information to sheriff’s deputies, who caught up to the suspects.

LASD said that when they contacted the man and woman, the pair were both dressed in “turnout gear,” which is the protective clothing worn by firefighters responding to a fire, had Cal Fire shirts underneath the gear and were also in possession of helmets and radios.

“The occupants claimed to be from the ‘Roaring River Fire Department’ in Oregon,” the release stated. “Upon further investigation, the deputies learned that the department name was not a legitimate agency, and the truck was purchased at an auction.”

[piasa]

Maybe for social media purposes.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Give ‘em a blindfold and cigarette. California being minus a coupld scumbags won’t hurt anything.

[piasa]

Usually “Oregon” and “arson” suggests ecoterrorist or animal rights types.

[lefty-lie-spy]

That’s from Dragnet 67-69 if my memory is correct. Nice one.

[lee martell]

He even “looks like a Liar”.

[dragnet2]

Convicted arsonist from Oregon cruising around CA fire disaster areas in a fire truck...It’s like LA Mayor Bass’s Deputy Mayor calling in bomb threats to city hall...And dry fire hydrants.

This is Mad Magazine level stuff.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“Maybe for social media purposes.”

Hadn’t thought about that. Could be.

[metmom]

Jail them for a LONG time.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

Just some armchair sleuthing here - but I would think that they had a very specific load of drugs/gold bars/other contraband to recover. A very weird and obviously amateur attempt - but it had to be a specific location and a specific item/shipment they were going in after. If they are as inept as they appear, we should know soon.

[gundog]

“The Big Amateur.” 1967

[SaveFerris]

[Not believing the fire truck was legitimate]

That’s why I only drive ... an ... REO Speedwagon ...

It may not be common knowledge....lol.....

[SaveFerris]

[SaveFerris]

[UnwashedPeasant]

It was obviously not a Los Angeles fire truck because it had water in the water tank. /s

[linMcHlp]

BOTL for the Roaring River waters that are missing.

[dead]

[Lockbar]

Almost no Ho’s’es on the truck is a bad sign.

[SaveFerris]

yeah

[SaveFerris]

[had fake fire engine]

But it IDENTIFIED as a real fire engine so the Democrat Los Angeles Fire Department Lesbians / L.A. Democrat Lesbian Mayor said that was close enough for DEI......

[Elsie]

bolo