Surveillance cameras reportedly caught looters crashing into Tampa, Florida, storefronts and stealing various items amid Hurricane Irma
According to WTSP, a reward is being offered for information about the looters who struck Teresa’s Food Market late Sunday. Authorities believe the four suspects used a white four-door Ford F-150—which was stolen earlier in the day—to break into the store. Video also shows the assailants taking various objects, including a lottery machine.
This wasn’t the only looting incident of its kind in Tampa. The Tampa Bay Times reported that Hillsborough County Police are investigating more than a dozen possible looting incidents committed as Hurricane Irma made landfall.
On Monday, deputies responded to Tampa Bay Powersports after multiple suspects used an unknown car to ram into the store. The thieves took seven dirt bikes, valued at more than $38,000. They are also accused of damaging multiple motorcycles by pushing them over, tearing off bumpers, and breaking mirrors, the local station reported.
Tampa Terrace police made a looting-related arrest on Sunday morning. According to WTVT, authorities accused Jonathan Smalls, 31, of using a stolen pickup truck to break into DTLR Clothing Store and leaving with a “large quantity of clothing.”
Smalls reportedly drove off during a traffic stop, which later turned into a brief on-foot pursuit. Police recovered clothes from DTLR Clothing Store in addition to stolen footwear from Shoe Mountain from the truck following his arrest, WTVT noted.
The 31-year-old faces a slew of charges, including burglary of a business structure during a state of emergency and grand theft during a state of emergency.
[Featured Image: WTSP/Screenshot]