A man accused of arson and a group of looters targeting homes in evacuation zones amid the wildfires raging in Los Angeles County have been charged, officials said Monday. 

The charges were filed against a group of people accused of residential looting in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas, while arson charges were brought against a man in Azusa, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said during a news conference. 

“These are the people who are seeking to exploit this tragedy for their own benefit,” Hochman said. “These are people who have engaged in looting and arson. We’ve also investigated price gouging and will be investigating internet scams and the like.”

Azusa police have arrested a 39-year-old homeless arson suspect Jose Carranza-Escobar just steps from a small brush fire that they say he admitted to lighting as Los Angeles battles multiple large wildfires. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)

Escobar faces nine years in prison and was expected to be arraigned Monday. 

Authorities have warned potential criminals from targeting homes that have been evacuated. In Santa Monicia, authorities have arrested at least 10 burglary suspects since the Palisades Fire began last week. 

Looting in an Altadena home during fires. (Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office)

Six had burglary tools with them, one pair had the Watch Duty app open on their phone to track evac zones, sources told Fox News. The Santa Monica Police Department said officers were able to stop the burglaries before they took place. 

Overall, Santa Monica police have made 39 arrests in evacuation zones. None of the suspects live in the city. 

(Left to right) Joshua Kaliel Love, Miguel Angel Dorantes, Gabriel Asaih Stokes, and Dominic Pachecomanga were four of 10 suspects charged with burglary within the Palisades Fire evacuation zones in Santa Monica. (Santa Monica Police Department)

Those not charged with attempted burglary were picked up for curfew violations, drug possession, warrants and probation violations. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has made 34 arrests since the start of the fires, Sheriff Robert Luna said Monday in a separate news conference. 

“This is a strong message from all of us, that we are here and when we catch people, we mean business,” he said. “If you do not have any legitimate business in these areas, stay out because our deputies are stopping people in a constitutional manner, I may add, and they are asking people questions.”

“We’re coming up with narcotics. We’re coming up with individuals who are carrying guns. And guess what? None of them live in these areas,” he added.