As the fury of Hurricane Irma approached Florida on Saturday into Sunday, some thugs thought they could use it as an opportunity to steal and get off scot free.
That was a mistake.
In total, at least 32 people were arrested after attempting to loot businesses and homes that were abandoned as their owners evacuated.
In one case thieves broke into a sporting goods store to steal guns, but were met by a SWAT team on their way to escaping, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
One suspect surrendered immediately while the other engaged in a standoff with authorities until he also, eventually, was apprehended after police used gas to subdue him.
Sumter Electric Cooperative, and electric company in the Orlando area, reported men posing as utility workers knocking on doors and robbing victims at gunpoint, Fox 11 reported.
In another incident, a teenager was shot and another arrested, after they attempted to burglarize in a home in Weston, Florida, NBC 6 reported.
On Sunday, a video that showed a gang of looters breaking into a shoe store went wild on social media with thousands of shares.
Social media did not help them, as nine of them were arrested by police, Police Chief Rick Maglione said.
#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
“Going to prison over a pair of sneakers is a fairly bad life choice,” the chief said in a statement. “Stay home and look after your loved (ones) and be thankful they are all safe.”
#BREAKING Fort Lauderdale Police arrest 9 looters caught by #Local10 cameras robbing stores during #Irma https://t.co/y8dkgzddFH pic.twitter.com/tN4ZxZb0sp
— WPLG Local 10 News (@WPLGLocal10) September 10, 2017
Miami Police Department release photo of ten detained men suspected of looting during #HurricaneIrma pic.twitter.com/5uuVMMhyKv
— Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) September 11, 2017
Love this!! ?? Humor in the middle of chaos#Florida
Looters welcome here
Combat veteran
Needs therapy#HurricaneIrma pic.twitter.com/kbv5nTzHze— Տᗩᑎᗪᖇᗩ ن RussianBot (@SandraTXAS) September 10, 2017
The Fort Lauderdale police shamed two of the thugs that they caught.
#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
Do not loot. Do not take advantage of those that have been disadvantaged by the storm. We will pursue, arrest, and prosecute. https://t.co/ysyGJWqcvx
— Mayor Jack Seiler (@JackSeiler) September 10, 2017
If you’re taking advantage of a natural disaster to loot goodies from your community, you’re a special kind of loser https://t.co/rBURHKmOBk
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) September 10, 2017
DESPICABLE – 7News cameras caught a group of looters ransacking a Miami Foot Locker store before police arrived pic.twitter.com/RSjBLNESob
— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) September 10, 2017
Miami Police share photo of Irma looters in jail https://t.co/90cNslEQAx
— Teresa Jones (@avm_awareness) September 11, 2017
More Hurricane Irma looters arrested in Miami. Enjoy jail, scumbags. https://t.co/W5ABWmAAvW
— Mark Dice (@MarkDice) September 11, 2017
FT LAUDERDALE POLICE ARREST 9 LOOTERS Caught on Video: “Going to prison over a pair of sneakers is… https://t.co/WDhghWUqsq @3lectric5heep
— Trump Texas (@3lectric5heep) September 11, 2017
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