SONOMA, Calif. (KGTV) - A man arrested for looting in the Northern California region currently being ravaged by wildfires was caught with an item first responders may rely on in the face of life or death, authorities say.
Sonoma County Sheriff's Department deputies arrested Morgan Plumere, 30, for multiple charges, including looting, after deputies said he was caught with stolen items. Of those items, deputies said was a first responder's emergency fire shelter.
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Deputies responded to calls of a theft from a vehicle and a fight at a park Thursday afternoon. Neighbors reported Plumere had been seen taking a pair of sunglasses out of a car in the evacuation area.
A neighbor called 911 while another followed Plumere to a nearby park and confronted him.
Deputies arrived and searched Plumere and his belongings, where they said they found the reportedly stolen glasses as well as items stolen from a local winery management company.
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Deputies also said Plumere was in possession of an emergency fire shelter that appeared to have been taken from an out-of-county fire department in the area assisting with battling wildfires.
Plumere is due in court Monday and faces charges of looting, possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of prescription medications without a prescription, and violation of probation.
Sonoma County prosecutors have warned every case of looting will be prosecuted.
