Several Arrested In Florida For Looting During Irma
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP/KDKA) — Police in Florida have arrested nine people who were caught on TV cameras looting sneakers and other goods from a sporting goods store and a pawn shop during Hurricane Irma.
Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Rick Maglione said the group was arrested Sunday as the storm roared across South Florida. Maglione called the idea of stealing sneakers during a hurricane "a fairly bad life choice."
#FLPD Looters ARRESTED! 9 individuals were arrested Looting CashAmerica Pawn & Simon's on W Sunrise Blvd. pic.twitter.com/1pLR66I8TD
— Fort Lauderdale PD (@FLPD411) September 10, 2017
Local TV images showed the alleged looters running in and out of a store through a broken window carrying boxes of sneakers.
It wasn't immediately clear what charges those arrested would face. Their identities also were not immediately released.
A warning from Maglione was posted Saturday night, saying, "Anyone who intends to victimize our neighbors during this difficult time ... will be captured and arrested."
The next morning, they posted mugshots of two men, saying, "Can't say we didn't warn you..."
#FLPD Can't say we didn't warn you...28 YOs Ryan Cook & Max Saintvil each face 6 counts of burglary from overnight #HurricaneIrma pic.twitter.com/GyPhAeMAVZ
— Fort Lauderdale PD (@FLPD411) September 10, 2017
Ryan Cook and Max Saintvil, both 28, are facing six counts of burglary. It was not clear if Cook and Saintvil were involved in the sneaker looting.
By late Monday afternoon, Fort Lauderdale Police had arrested 20 people for looting.
#FLPD Chief Maglione would like to congratulate Mr. Taff on being the 20th burglar caught trying to victimize our neighbors #HurricaneIrma pic.twitter.com/Bd8xSfJGxa
— Fort Lauderdale PD (@FLPD411) September 11, 2017
The Miami Police Department also posted a photo on Facebook showing several people sitting in a holding cell, along with the caption, "Thinking about looting? Ask these guys how that [turned] out."
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
