Looters in Florida face hefty bails after targeting the wrong disaster area.
Looters Pick the Wrong Disaster Area to Target, End Up with Million-Dollar Bails After Florida Sheriff’s Office Gets Involved
Amid the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia in Florida’s Big Bend region, two individuals found themselves facing charges of looting a damaged home. As concerns grew among residents about potential burglaries in other hurricane-ravaged areas, law enforcement faced the challenge of being stretched thin in the remote, wooded Gulf Coast region.
In Horseshoe Beach, one of the hardest-hit communities, some residents called for the establishment of checkpoints where identification would be required to enter the town.
Residents Demand Stronger Security Measures
Kerry Ford, a marina worker, commended local law enforcement for their response to the hurricane but expressed the need for stricter measures to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering Horseshoe Beach.
“They did really good,” Ford said. “Now, the only thing I’ve seen where they’ve dropped the ball is you can come right into Horseshoe without showing you’re a resident or anything like that. That’s a problem, especially with no power. You’ve got to have somebody here keeping out everybody other than the residents.”
Unfortunately, the concerns of the residents proved valid when a man and a woman from Palmetto, Florida, were arrested for looting a waterfront home in Horseshoe Beach. The arrest came after an officer from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission heard suspicious noises outside the property.
The officer discovered the suspects loading items into a rented pickup truck. One of them claimed to have permission from the homeowner, but the homeowners denied granting any such permission.
The suspects now face charges of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling during an emergency, grand theft, and trespassing. Each suspect’s bail has been set at a staggering $1 million.
Strong Action Against Criminal Activity
The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office emphasized their commitment to combating such criminal activity, stating, ”We are taking strong action against this criminal activity.”
To maintain order and security, authorities have implemented an 11 p.m. curfew for Horseshoe Beach.
As of Saturday, thousands of residents in Florida and Georgia remained without power due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Idalia. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visited Florida to assess the damage caused by the hurricane.
Hurricane Idalia made landfall near Keaton Beach with winds of 125 mph (200 kph) and a 6-foot (1.8-meter) storm surge. The storm then continued its destructive path through rural areas of Florida and southern Georgia before dissipating over the Carolinas.
This disaster has highlighted the vulnerability of a region that has managed to preserve its natural beauty amidst the rapid coastal development seen elsewhere.
Tammy Bryan, a staff member at the First Freewill Baptist Church in Horseshoe Beach, suggested that anyone caught looting could contribute in a different way.
“Help load up some trash and take the rest with you, if that’s the way it has to be,” Bryan said.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
The post Looters Pick the Wrong Disaster Area to Target, End Up with Million-Dollar Bails After Florida Sheriff’s Office Gets Involved appeared first on The Western Journal.
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