Sheriff: Vast Majority Of Looting Arrests In Florida Linked To Illegal Migrants After Hurricanes

The aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton has seen significant law enforcement activity in Florida, where Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office reports that nearly all looters arrested were illegal migrants. Out of 45 individuals detained for looting offenses, including burglary and armed robbery, 41 were reportedly in the U.S. unlawfully.

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said, “A lot of these people were in the area to take others’ properties, and our efforts prevented additional crimes from occurring.” Authorities also noted that, of the 196 individuals questioned in connection with looting, 163 were confirmed to be illegal migrants.

The hurricanes caused extensive loss, with at least 230 fatalities from Hurricane Helene and another 32 from Hurricane Milton, alongside billions of dollars in damage. As communities work to rebuild, concerns over crime and security in affected areas have grown, especially as arrests suggest a link between illegal migration and criminal exploitation during disasters.

While local efforts focus on restoring stability, President Donald J. Trump’s Trump National Doral Miami resort provided temporary accommodations to 275 power restoration workers.

Meanwhile, FEMA’s handling of the crisis has drawn criticism. Tech mogul Elon Musk and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) alleged that FEMA impeded Musk’s efforts to distribute Starlink Internet following Hurricane Helene, with FEMA acknowledging a temporary pause in aid distribution in North Carolina due to safety concerns for federal staff.

As law enforcement tackles the aftermath, officials are pushing for stronger immigration enforcement to ensure community safety and prevent further criminal exploitation in vulnerable areas.