Florida Sheriff Reports Majority Of Looters During Hurricanes Were Illegal Immigrants

Ms. Dolores Gleason 08 Jun 2025

In the wake of two devastating hurricanes that struck Florida, law enforcement officials in Pinellas County have raised alarms over looting incidents, revealing a troubling trend involving illegal immigrants. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri disclosed that out of 45 individuals arrested for looting, 41 were found to be undocumented migrants. The hurricanes, Helene and Milton, wreaked havoc at the end of September and early October, leaving many homes and businesses in ruins.

As communities began to recover, the sheriff's department ramped up efforts to patrol areas vulnerable to looting. Reports indicated that numerous individuals were attempting to exploit the chaos, taking advantage of the emptiness left in the wake of the storms. Many of those arrested were engaged in serious crimes such as armed robbery and vandalism, as well as lesser offenses like trespassing.

When deputies engaged with nearly 200 individuals suspected of looting, they found that a significant majority were not from the local area or even the United States. Specifically, among the 196 approached, 141 were not residents of Pinellas County and 163 were not U.S. citizens. The sheriff emphasized the necessity of vigilance in protecting local residents and businesses from further victimization during this already challenging time.

“A lot of these people were in the area to take other people’s property, and our deputies’ efforts prevented additional crimes from occurring,” Sheriff Gualtieri stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by law enforcement to maintain order and safety amidst the chaos.

Hurricane devastation in Florida — Debris and damage from Hurricane Milton as US President Joe Biden visits the area, in St. Pete Beach, Florida, on October 13, 2024.

The aftermath of the hurricanes has opened up a dangerous landscape for residents and business owners, who are now at risk of being targeted by unlicensed and fraudulent contractors. Sheriff Gualtieri warned that, in times of disaster, con artists often prey on those desperate for assistance, promising repairs and services that they fail to deliver or execute poorly.

“These people are simply scammers and thieves and no different than the people in the neighborhoods at 3 a.m. breaking into a house that we have been arresting,” he asserted, noting the dual victimization that residents face when they lose their homes and then are exploited by unscrupulous individuals.

In an effort to crack down on unlicensed work, undercover detectives have been deployed to monitor and arrest individuals attempting to conduct repairs without proper licensing. Their operations have led to nearly 60 additional arrests on various charges.

As the community navigates the recovery process, Sheriff Gualtieri's message is clear: "Don’t come to Pinellas County and steal in these storm-ravaged communities, don’t prey on people who are trying to recover, because if you do, you’re going to go to jail on multiple felony charges.”

Florida hurricane damage — Debris and damage from Hurricane Milton as US President Joe Biden visits the area, in St. Pete Beach, Florida, on October 13, 2024.

Newsweek reached out to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for further comment on the immigration status of those arrested. This situation follows a separate incident where immigrants, legally in the U.S. on work visas, were apprehended for suspected looting in Tennessee, further complicating the narrative surrounding immigration and crime in the wake of natural disasters.

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