Inset: Karen Mastey. Left: Stolen antique items. Right: Home destroyed in the Palisades fire where Masey allegedly stole the antiques (California Highway Patrol).
Authorities in California arrested a woman who allegedly stole several antiques from a home that burned down during the destructive wildfires in Pacific Palisades last month.
The California Highway Patrol said in a press release officers received a call around 1 p.m. Friday about a person looting one of the destroyed homes. Officers responded but the suspect had left before they arrived. The victim provided cops a detailed description of the suspect and suspect vehicle.
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Officers determined the vehicle was allegedly registered to Karen Mastey who lived in Valencia. Cops went to the home where they found the antique items she allegedly stole from the burned down property. According to a picture of the items posted by CHP, the antiques included chandeliers, pottery and other pieces of art.
CHP also posted a picture of Mastey — with her face blurred out to abide by California privacy laws — wearing a “Palisades Strong” T-shirt while handcuffed in front of a police cruiser. Mastey was arrested for grand theft and officers booked her at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
Mastey also apparently started a GoFundMe to raise money for fire victims. She claimed her brother’s house had burned down in the fire and that she grew up in the area.
“I’m trying to raise funds for my brother and friends of the Palisades that have owned their homes for over 40 years and are now retired,” Mastey wrote. “I want to help the people who have supported their community for decades to build their homes back and not be forced to move out of their beloved town because newer and richer developers want to move in.”
The page had only raised $250 of its $18,000 goal as of Sunday afternoon. The Malibu Times reported that CHP is looking into whether the fundraiser was a scam. CHP continues to investigate.
“I am incredibly proud of the swift action taken by our officers to protect the public and prevent further harm,” CHP Chief Chris Margaris of the Southern Division. “Their commitment to serving and assisting those in need during this challenging period reflects the highest standards of CHP.”
Authorities arrested looters, even as the fires tore through the region. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office charged nine people in connection to residential burglaries during the Palisades and Eaton fires, the Los Angeles Daily News reported.
For more than three weeks in January, the Palisades fire burned more than 20,000 acres, killed 12 people and destroyed nearly 7,000 structures.
