Tennessee authorities have arrested eight migrant workers for looting in a flood-devastated area following the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene.
The arrests took place on Saturday in the 107 region of Washington County, where severe flooding has ravaged homes and infrastructure.
Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton announced the arrests via Facebook, identifying the suspects and outlining the charges. Five individuals—Albin Nahun Vega-Rapalo, 24, David Bairon Rapalo-Rapalo, 37, Kevin Noe Martinez-Lopez, 25, Marvin Hernandez-Martinez, 43, and Dayln Gabriel Guillen Guillen, 37—were charged with aggravated burglary for breaking into occupied homes.
Three others—Jesus Leodan Garcia-Peneda, 51, Josue Berardo Ortis-Valdez, 30, and Ersy Leonel Ortis-Valdez, 33—face burglary charges related to unoccupied homes and structures barely standing after the storm.
All eight men, who are migrant workers legally in the U.S. on work visas, were being held at the Washington County Detention Center on $20,000 bond each.
They were set to appear in court on Monday. A sheriff’s office spokesperson indicated that the suspects’ legal statuses would be affected by the charges, adding that deputies would continue patrolling flood zones and monitoring for looting activity, regardless of the individuals involved.
The looting arrests come amid the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which brought heavy rainfall and flooding to eastern Tennessee.
According to Fox News at least 133 people have died across six Southeastern states, with hundreds more still unaccounted for as emergency responders navigate collapsed roads and destroyed infrastructure. Governor Bill Lee has surveyed the damage in the region, as recovery efforts continue.
“For breaking into occupied homes”? Why weren’t they shot on sight by the home owner?
Send them to Brooklyn, New York.