Early Sunday morning, the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a potential burglary call at the home of Vice President Kamala Harris in Brentwood, California, an area located within the evacuation zone of the ongoing Palisades Fire. Reports from local news outlets confirm that the LAPD detained two individuals in the vicinity of Harris’ home while the curfew, in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., was being enforced.
The incident unfolded at around 4:40 a.m. when the West Los Angeles station received a call reporting a possible burglary on Bundy Drive, north of Sunset Boulevard. Officers arrived on the scene and found two men in the area. Initially, the LAPD detained the suspects for violating the curfew, but after further investigation, they were released, as there was no evidence linking them to any criminal activity. Both men were not found on the vice president’s property, and authorities found no indication they had entered it.
Sources told local station KNBC that the individuals were likely unaware of their location, and no further details have been released regarding their motivations for being in the area. While the LAPD has yet to comment on whether the matter will be further investigated, it’s important to note that Harris’ home is heavily protected by the U.S. Secret Service, with additional support from the California Highway Patrol and the LAPD’s Dignitary Protection Detail.
The timing of the incident was notable, as the Palisades Fire, which had been spreading dangerously close to Brentwood, was exacerbated by high winds, complicating the emergency response. As of Sunday morning, CAL Fire reported the fire was 11% contained, having burned over 23,000 acres. Tragically, the wildfire has claimed at least 16 lives, including five in the immediate area.
This incident highlights the tense and unpredictable nature of current events in California, with local law enforcement stretched thin by the combined challenges of crime prevention and disaster response.