Two Individuals Arrested for Looting Hurricane-Stricken Home as Residents Fear Increased Burglary Activity

Two individuals have been apprehended and charged for looting a residence severely impacted by Hurricane Idalia in the Big Bend region of Florida. The arrests have heightened anxieties among local residents that additional homes devastated by the hurricane may become targets for burglary, particularly given the limited law enforcement presence in this isolated, forested region along the Gulf Coast.

In Horseshoe Beach, Florida, one of the most adversely affected communities following Hurricane Idalia’s Category 3 landfall last Wednesday, some residents are calling for the implementation of identification checkpoints to regulate entry into the town.

Kerry Ford, an employee at a local marina, commended the initial response by local law enforcement agencies to the hurricane’s aftermath. However, Ford expressed concern that additional measures should be taken to ensure only residents can access Horseshoe Beach. “The authorities have performed commendably in their initial response, but the absence of an identification requirement for entering the community is problematic, particularly under current conditions of power outage,” said Ford.

The arrested individuals, a man and a woman from Palmetto, Florida—situated nearly 200 miles (322 kilometers) south of the hurricane’s landfall—were detained last Wednesday. An officer from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission became suspicious upon hearing noises emanating from a home in Horseshoe Beach. Subsequent investigation revealed the suspects loading property from a coastal residence into a rented pickup truck. Despite the male suspect’s claim that they had permission from the homeowners to remove items, the homeowners vehemently denied giving such consent, according to a statement issued by the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office.

Both suspects face charges including burglary of an unoccupied dwelling during an emergency, grand theft, and trespassing. Bail has been set at $1 million for each individual. “We are committed to vigorously combating such illicit activities,” stated the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office.

As of Saturday, Hurricane Idalia has left over 61,000 residents in Florida and 8,700 in Georgia without power. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited the affected areas in Florida on Saturday for an on-the-ground assessment.

Hurricane Idalia initially hit near Keaton Beach, boasting winds speeds of 125 mph (200 kph) and a storm surge of 6 feet (1.8 meters). The hurricane proceeded to cause widespread destruction across predominantly rural areas of inland Florida and southern Georgia before moving towards the ocean in the Carolinas. The storm has disproportionately affected less developed regions of Florida.

Tammy Bryan, an employee at the First Freewill Baptist Church in Horseshoe Beach, expressed a unique perspective on the issue of looting. “If these looters are intent on taking items, they could at least contribute by helping in some manner. Assistance with debris removal, for instance, would be appreciated, given the dire need for additional support in our community,” Bryan said.

This report includes contributions from Big Big News correspondent Mike Schneider, based in St. Louis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hurricane Idalia looting

More about Hurricane Idalia looting

• Dixie County Sheriff’s Office Statement
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• National Hurricane Center: Hurricane Idalia Update
• U.S. President’s Visit to Hurricane-Damaged Florida
• Power Outage Statistics in Florida and Georgia
• Horseshoe Beach Community Response to Hurricane Idalia