Fire Engine from Fake Department Seized in Raid at Brentwood, CA, House

    July 17, 2025
    Los Angeles police officers and ATF agents are investigating to determine if the resident responded to the Pacific Palisades fire.

    A fire truck from a bogus department was among items seized Wednesday during a raid in Brentwood.

    The rig that had burn marks on the top was registered to the Santa Muerte Fire Department, which police said doesn't exist. The state license plate was removed before the engine was towed away.

    A person at the residence was arrested on charges related to firearms violations, government fraud and impersonating a first responder, KTLA reported.

    Authorities would not say if the raid was related to a case two years ago involving Andrew De Boer, who was accused of impersonating a police officer in Chino Hills. He was in uniform and was carrying a weapon.

    DeBoer also was wearing a badge that read Santa Muerte Fire Department.

    Investigators are trying to determine if DeBoer responded to the Pacific Palisades fire in January.

    About the Author

    Susan Nicol | News Editor

    Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues. 

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