Gualtieri announces looting in Pinellas after Helene, Milton

In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri announced several arrests Thursday after he said individuals had come to the barrier islands to prey on victims following the flooding and damage.

The storms tore through the region over the span of two weeks, forcing mandatory evacuations – including on the barrier islands. In particular, the storm surge from Helene caused widespread flooding and damage to residents along the coast.

Gualtieri said deputies conducted raid patrols along the barrier islands during a three-week operation from Oct. 2 to 23, according to a news release.

He said these patrols resulted in 45 arrests on 68 different charges ranging from armed robbery, grand theft, vandalism and trespassing.

“As Pinellas beaches recover, we will continue these patrols and arrest anyone stealing from the vulnerable victims of two back-to-back storms that have devastated our community,” Gualtieri said.

Gualtieri said many of those arrested came to the area from elsewhere.

“Of the 45 burglars and thieves we arrested, only two were from Pinellas County,” Gualtieri said. “The rest came here from the area to steal from our residents and businesses.”

Gualtieri added that 41 of the suspects are not U.S. citizens and are here illegally, mostly from Central and South American countries.

He said a further 196 people on the island had been contacted but officers had no reason to make any arrests and were told to move on.

Gualtieri also announced that a further 64 people were arrested on 102 criminal charges during a three-day operation, “Flood of Fraud” from October 22 to 24, which targeted unlicensed contractors operating on Madeira Beach.

“These people are just scammers and thieves, no different from the people in the neighborhood who break into a house at 3 in the morning that we arrested,” Gualtieri said.

“Our efforts to protect the community have not stopped with the direct impact of these hurricanes. We are now focused on protecting our residents and our businesses who are desperate to rebuild and get on with their lives.”

While that operation only covered Madeira Beach, Gualtieri said similar reports have come in from other barrier islands.

Again, Gualtieri said most of the people arrested during that operation were not from Pinellas County.