Following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, law enforcement in Pinellas County, which includes Clearwater and St. Petersburg on Florida's west coast, apprehended 45 individuals for various offenses. Among those arrested, 41 were non-U.S. citizens, with a portion being Cuban immigrants. The exact number of Cubans detained was not disclosed, but Sheriff Bob Gualtieri confirmed the arrest of individuals from Honduras, Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico as well.
According to the sheriff, these undocumented immigrants faced charges of alleged looting and defrauding hurricane victims. During a press conference, Sheriff Gualtieri emphasized that in the wake of evacuation orders due to the approaching hurricanes, his officers diligently patrolled areas inhabited by over 500,000 residents. The sheriff assured the community that law enforcement efforts would deter anyone attempting to sow further chaos in Pinellas County.
In anticipation of Hurricane Milton's arrival earlier this month, Pinellas County authorities issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents of zones A, B, and C, along with all mobile homes in the area. Emergency teams successfully rescued 430 individuals trapped within a residential complex in the county alone.
The destruction across the region has been extensive, prompting the sheriff to issue a stern warning: "Do not come to Pinellas County to loot these storm-ravaged communities. Do not exploit people who are trying to rebuild, because if you do, you will face jail time for multiple felony charges."