Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Anarchy on the streets
Looting spree in Florida amid huge power blackout 700 troops sent to keep order on devastated islands
SUSPECTED looters lie handcuffed in the street as anarchy grips devastated Florida in the wake of brutal Hurricane Irma.
Armed gangs started raiding homes and businesses after the savage storm cut power to some six million people.
Within hours, 32 suspected looters had been arrested – and SWAT teams had to be called in as some of them targeted stores selling guns.
There was a stand-off at an Academy Sports store by the Mall at Millenia in Orlando. One man quickly gave himself up while another barricaded himself inside with the store’s guns.
Police said the situation was “peacefully resolved” after tear gas was used and two suspects were in custody.
Two separate groups were caught on camera ransacking shops in Fort Lauderdale and Midtown Miami. And at least 12 people were arrested at two different sports shops in south Florida, with one of the alleged looters shot by police.
Miami Police Department released a photo of 10 men in a jail cell. They captioned the shot: “Thinking about looting? Ask these guys how that turned out.” Police in Fort Lauderdale confirmed they had arrested Ryan Cook and Max Saintvil, both 28, who were believed to have broken into six homes.
In an attempt to deter looters, Sheriff Ken Mascara, from St Lucie County, said: “I have said over and over that we will not tolerate looting. We have deputies patrolling the county to ensure the safety and security of homes and businesses.
“If you think you are going to take advantage of evacuated properties, be prepared to spend the storm at the jail.”
Irma’s ravages have also sparked fears of widespread lawlessness in the British Virgin Islands – with 120 prison inmates on the loose. The hurricane demolished billionaire Sir Richard Branson’s home
on Necker Island and his son Sam said: “Hearing stories of what the place looks like and what’s going on. It’s just horrible.
“The thing that upsets me the most is the breakdown of values, the way people are having to behave to survive.”
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said last night 700 troops and 50 police officers have been sent to Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos islands, along with 40 tonnes of UK aid.
He said: “We are also sending more police into both the BVI and Anguilla, so that security has improved and a sense of confidence is rising.”
One British family said they sheltered under a mattress in a wardrobe as Irma blitzed the British Virgin Islands. Clare Chilton, her husband and two children holed up in their rented home in Tortola for more than 24 hours.
Ms Chilton, from Middlesbrough, said she felt like “one of the lucky ones” after being evacuated to Puerto Rico. Husband Hadley, 39, stayed to aid the relief effort on the island, one of so many places picking up the pieces as Irma moves on.
The storm was known to have killed five in Florida on Sunday but rescuers do not know how high the toll could be, prompting fears of a humanitarian crisis. Up to 10,000 people are believed to have stayed in their homes in the Florida Keys and now have no water, food or power.
Thomas Cook was preparing to evacuate 2,350 British tourists stranded in Cuba.
The tour operator said it is also sending extra support staff to the island, which took a severe beating.
A number of British tourists have complained of a lack of information and access to Thomas Cook reps. One couple claim they were “abandoned” by the firm “in a cockroach infested brothel”.
Their friend Katy Pugh said: “Thomas Cook only contacted them prior to the hurricane via a note under the door telling them their plane was cancelled.
“With no reps, they were left in their hotel while they glued the windows shut and hotel staff were told to go home.
“Many have contacted all the usual channels for help, such as the British Embassy in Havana and Thomas Cook, but they have been left without clean water, food and essential medication.”
And Janine Hall told Thomas Cook her disabled sister is stranded in Varadero and “needs urgent medication”.
The firm said: “We are working on an evacuation plan for our customers in Varadero. The safety of our customers is always our first priority.”
Irma yesterday weakened to a category one hurricane as it hit Florida’s Tampa Bay region with 85mph winds, striking Fort Myers and Naples hardest.
America’s National Hurricane Center said water levels in Naples had risen by 7ft in just 90 minutes.