By Lookout Staff

January 24, 2025 -- Two men with prior criminal records were charged with wildfire-related crimes committed in Santa Monica and just across the city border in Brentwood, the LA District Attorney announced Friday.

The cases -- one for burglary and looting, the other for attempting to start a fire -- bring the total number of individuals charged in fire-related cases in Los Angeles County to 25.

Ivan Ruiz, 35, of Moreno Valley was arrested after allegedly breaking into a detached garage underneath a living quarters in the 100 block of Mabery Road in Santa Monica Monday at around 3:45 p.m.

The property near the Pacific Palisades border "was located within an evacuation zone during a state of emergency, and Ruiz is accused of stealing items from the premises," the DA Nathan Hochman's office said.

Ruiz also was charged with one count of felony looting during an emergency or evacuation.

"It is further alleged that Ruiz carried out the offense with planning, sophistication, and professionalism within the California Rules of Court," the DA's office said.

Ruiz -- who pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Wednesday -- has had prior convictions and had served in prison and county jail.

He is being held on $100,000 bail, according to the DA's office. If convicted as charged, he faces six years in prison.

The other fire-related incident took place last Saturday at around 1:45 p.m. at the intersection of San Vicente Boulevard and Montana Avenue in Brentwood, one block outside the Santa Monica city limits.

Christopher Reimers, 54, of Los Angeles, is charged with one count of felony attempt to burn after allegedly using a butane torch to ignite a brown bag filled with plastic and paper.

"He allegedly placed a flannel shirt over the burning bag and positioned it beneath a USPS mailbox" on the triangular corner where San Vicente and Montana intersect.

Reimers faces "aggravating circumstances of increasing seriousness of prior convictions and having a prior county jail or prison term," the DA's office said.

Reimers -- who pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Wednesday -- is being held on $75,000 bail. If convicted as charged, he faces three years in prison.

Both cases were investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

“As I have stated from the beginning of this wildfire crisis, for those who commit crimes from looting to arson to impersonation of firefighters to price gouging to financials scams, justice will be swift and significant,” Hochman said in a statement.

“You will be arrested, prosecuted, and punished to the full extent of the law. Targeting victims of these fires at their lowest moment is despicable and shameful, and this Office will do everything in its power to support the victims and bring their victimizers to justice.”