Nearly All Hurricane Looters Arrested In Florida Are Illegal Migrants, Says Pinellas County Sheriff
Following the devastation caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida law enforcement reported that nearly all suspects arrested for looting in Pinellas County were illegal migrants. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office announced that 41 out of 45 individuals arrested for looting-related offenses were in the state illegally, including charges of armed robbery, burglary, and vandalism.
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri commented on the arrests, stating, “A lot of these people were in the area to take others’ properties, and our efforts prevented additional crimes from occurring.” Authorities said they questioned 196 individuals about looting activity, later releasing 163 who were also found to be illegal migrants.
The hurricanes, which left at least 230 dead from Hurricane Helene and an additional 32 from Hurricane Milton, caused widespread destruction and billions in damages. As recovery efforts continue, concerns about crime and illegal migration have surfaced, adding to the challenges faced by local communities.
Amid the crisis, President Donald J. Trump opened his Trump National Doral Miami resort to provide temporary housing for around 275 linemen assisting with power restoration. Meanwhile, the Biden-Harris administration’s response, especially through FEMA, has come under fire.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) criticized FEMA, with Musk alleging the agency obstructed Starlink satellite Internet distribution following Hurricane Helene. FEMA admitted it temporarily suspended aid in North Carolina due to safety concerns for federal workers.
As Florida works to recover, law enforcement’s focus remains on preventing further looting and ensuring community safety, with officials emphasizing the need for stricter immigration enforcement.
