Florida’s hurricane-stricken regions face a troubling rise in looting and scams, with illegal immigrants at the center of many allegations. 45 illegal immigrants have been charged. Authorities of Pinellas County state it will prevent such crimes in the future.
Crime Wave Targeting Hurricane Victims
The aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida has led to an alarming increase in criminal activities, notably looting and scams. Investigations by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office reveal a striking majority of looting suspects are illegal immigrants from countries such as Mexico and Venezuela. Authorities arrested 45 individuals for various charges, including armed robbery and burglary, devastating the already vulnerable hurricane-affected communities.
Pinellas County alone accounted for 68 charges, and most of the accused hail from outside the county. As the Sheriff’s Office highlighted, “Only two were from Pinellas County. The rest came here from out of the area to steal from our residents and businesses.”
Almost all looting suspects arrested in Florida county after hurricanes are illegal migrants: sheriff https://t.co/zelsDtZkoG pic.twitter.com/7HbfYMbZc8
— New York Post (@nypost) October 27, 2024
Scams on the Rise
In addition to looting, scams have plagued hurricane survivors, with fraudulent contractors promising repairs they never intended to execute. This exploitation has reportedly resulted in $250 million in losses for vulnerable Floridians. Unqualified and unlicensed individuals have capitalized on the chaos, impersonating legitimate contractors and even providing fake business cards. Sheriff Gualtieri lamented, “People offering to do work on their property, but, in some cases, have no intention of doing the work.”
“Between October 2nd and October 23rd, just in the last 21 days, we’ve arrested 45 people in the Pinellas Beach communities on 68 different charges, including armed robbery, burglary, loitering and prowling, grand theft, vandalism, and trespass,” Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said.
To address these prolific issues, local authorities have deployed an additional 80 officers to boost security and safeguard affected communities. Plans for continued patrols strive to protect residents and aid them in their recovery efforts, demonstrating a robust response to these troubling developments.
Florida deputies arrest dozens of illegal immigrants allegedly caught looting from Hurricane Milton victims https://t.co/VqSeBFoL9D
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 27, 2024
Ongoing Efforts and Community Protection
Despite these challenges, there have been increased efforts from authorities dedicated to preventing further crime. “Our effort to protect the community has not stopped with these hurricanes’ direct impact. We are now focused on protecting our residents and our businesses who are desperate to rebuild and get on with their lives,” said Sheriff Gualtieri, stressing the continued focus on community protection.
He further explains, “This is the epitome of people trying to exploit others when they’re down and when they’re out, and they’re trying to rebuild, and they’ve got nothing.”
Despite these obstacles, Florida strives to rebuild, undeterred by those seeking to exploit its vulnerable communities. The ongoing police efforts underline the resolve to restore safety during this challenging period of recovery and rebuilding.
