Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD) has warned people against looting stores and homes of residents after it reportedly arrested nine people in connection with looting. The FLPD issued the warning via its verified Twitter handle @Fort Lauderdale PD. The tweet read "#FLPD Looters ARRESTED! 9 individuals were arrested Looting CashAmerica Pawn & Simon's on W Sunrise Blvd"
The tweet came after a local news station reportedly caught a group of people breaking into a Fort Lauderdale shoe store during the Hurricane Irma on Sunday. In another statement issued by the FLPD Chief, Rick Maglione, the police vowed to send looters to jail if arrested.
"Going to prison over a pair of sneakers is a fairly bad life choice. Stay home and look after your loved ones and be thankful they are all safe."
While appearing on a TV programme "Fox & Friends" on Tuesday, Maglione explained that as soon as an evacuation was declared for the eastern half of Fort Lauderdale, the police department put out a message informing people that they were there to help, but any looters would be captured and arrested.
He added that committing a burglary during a declared state of emergency is an upgraded crime with enhanced penalties. He warned people not to take advantage of disaster situation to commit crime.
"The police stayed behind, and I think we had a unified message down here that this isn't going to be an opportunity for folks to take advantage of a crisis."
