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Some Evacuees Return To Homes Looted In Middletown Wildfire

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. (AP) -- More than a dozen homeowners who evacuated during a devastating California wildfire say their homes were burglarized in their absence.

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported Friday  that Lake County authorities have arrested at least six people suspected of looting or planning to loot homes after the fire started Sept. 12 north of San Francisco.

Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Steve Brooks said one burglar broke into a home and spray-painted a car in the garage to make it look like a police vehicle, so the thief could get away easier.

The wildfire in Lake County killed four people and destroyed 1,300 homes. It's 97 percent contained.

© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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