US EditionPolice Seize Fire Truck in Posh LA Neighborhood in Case with Bizarre Twist
BRENTWOOD, LOS ANGELES, JUL 17 – The Brentwood man faces over a dozen charges including firearms violations and government fraud after using a fake fire truck to impersonate a firefighter during the Palisades Fire, authorities said.
- Steve Farzam, a 46-year-old resident of Brentwood, was taken into custody on July 16 for falsely presenting himself as a firefighter and shining a laser at aircraft over Los Angeles.
- The arrest followed a multi-agency investigation initiated earlier this year after reports of laser targeting commercial and law enforcement aircraft surfaced.
- Authorities executed a search warrant at Farzam's Rockingham Avenue residence, confiscating a 1980s fire truck linked to a non-existent fire department, along with several related items.
- Farzam has been charged with a total of 28 offenses, 23 of which are felonies, encompassing crimes such as firing a laser at occupied aircraft, assaulting emergency responders, impersonation, and violations related to firearms. If found guilty, he could face a prison sentence of nearly 24 years.
- Farzam pleaded not guilty and is held without bail, with his preliminary hearing set for July 28 amid concerns about public safety and ongoing investigations.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Los Angeles Man Charged With Impersonating Firefighter, Assaulting Peace Officer
A Los Angeles-area man faces 28 criminal counts, including 23 felony charges, after allegedly posing as a firefighter during the deadly Palisades Fire in January, authorities confirmed July 17. Steve Farzam, 46, of Brentwood pleaded not guilty on July 17. He is being held without bail, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities say the alleged crimes occurred from 2023 to May 2025, including impersonating a firef…
MyCentralOregon.com
Fire truck found in Southern California man's home, police charge suspect for impersonating first responder
Steve Farzam has been charged for allegedly impersonating a firefighter after officials found a fire truck and other first responder gear in his home, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. KABC (LOS ANGELES) — A Southern California man has been charged for allegedly impersonating a firefighter after officials found a fire truck and other first responder gear at his home, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s …
Laser Pointer Probe Leads to Assault, Firefighter Impersonation Charges
An investigation into reports of a laser being pointed at commercial aircraft and helicopters in the West Los Angeles area led to the arrest of a man who is also believed to have been impersonating a firefighter, with authorities even seizing a fire truck from one of his properties, police said Thursday. Steve Farzam, 46, was arrested Wednesday when Los Angeles Police Department investigators, along with federal and state authorities, searched m…
Pacific Palisades fire truck linked to fake cop in Chino Hills
Officials have confirmed that the seizure of a firetruck in the Pacific Palisades near Brentwood on Wednesday is indeed connected to a man who was arrested for impersonating a law enforcement officer in the Inland Empire two years ago. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department confirmed to KTLA that the investigations, both of which involved the fictional Santa Muerte Fire Department, are related, but details of that relationship will be le…
Police seize fire truck in posh LA neighborhood in case with bizarre twist
(KTLA) - Police and federal agents raided a California home Wednesday afternoon and seized, among other evidence, a fire truck that may be tied to a Chino Hills man who was arrested nearly two years ago for impersonating a law enforcement officer and creating a fictional fire department. The Los Angeles Police Department’s Major Crimes Division confirmed to Nexstar's KTLA that they, along with assistance from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacc…
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