In the midst of an ongoing firefight against the Line Fire in San Bernardino County, a separate battle ensued, this one against potential looters of evacuated homes. According to FOXLA, two suspects, Thomas Francis Leslie, 38, and Jason Edward Rogerson, 51, were arrested on suspicion of planning to burglarize houses in the evacuated locale of Running Springs.

After the region was placed under evacuation orders due to the wildfire, with the fire reported to have grown to 26,426 acres as of Tuesday morning by FOXLA, additional law enforcement resources were deployed to protect the abandoned homes. Around 4 p.m. Sunday, a response to a call for service led to the two individuals, equipped with burglary tools and seen casing homes on surveillance footage, being apprehended by deputies from the Twin Peaks Station.

Information provided by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department states that after a call related to suspicious activity in the 30000 block of Knoll View Drive, the suspects were located and detained for questioning. Subsequently, both Leslie and Rogerson were booked under charges of conspiracy to commit residential burglary, penal code 182(a)(1).

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and the National Guard stand watch over evacuated zones, aiming to prevent similar incidents. Authorities encourage community members with any relevant information to reach out to the Twin Peaks Station, as described in a statement shared by the Sheriff's Department. Those who wish to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip or visit their website directly.