Among all the difficulties those affected by the Oklahoma tornadoes have had to deal with, they now have a new problem—looters, according to the Chicago Tribune.
State officials said looters have been going through many cities, taking jewelry and other belongings.
Police Spokesman Jeremy Lewis and Mayor Glen Lewis of Moore, Oklahoma said 17 people have been taking into custody on charges of misdemeanor looting since the tornado on May 20.
"We are seeing people take everything from copper to pipes to scrap metal to all kinds of electronics," Lewis said. "It's a misdemeanor crime and not a crime we usually have to deal with."
Jon Fisher was one of the many who lost their home in the EF5 tornado. He lives in one of the neighborhoods that have been the site of looting. Usually places near the outside of the ravaged neighborhoods are attractive for looters.
"The houses are still standing and looters are kicking in doors and taking TVs and appliances," said Fisher. "They arrested two guys in my neighborhood the night of the tornado who were carrying out a love seat and couch."
According to Fisher, he was advised by his insurance company to take all his valuables out of his home.
Authorities have taken measures to protect against looters. They have begun to require identification for anyone attempting to venture into tornado-stricken areas. Also, the Oklahoma Insurance Commission has given badges to its employees as to easily identify those assessing and doing other insurance work in damaged areas.
Lewis said law enforcement may have taken more people into custody compared to the 1999 tornado that struck Oklahoma—and was also followed by looting—because the 2013 tornado hit a larger area.
"It's mostly neighbors who are calling in the crimes to the police and we are catching them," Lewis said.
Three men from Virginia—36-year old Steven Corky Daniels, 44-year old Steve Costello and 25-year old Justin Wagner, have been arrested in Moore for looting scrap metal and copper wire.
Thirty-year old Maria Lopez from Norman, Oklahoma was arrested for disturbing a Moore disaster area at the end of May when people said she and her kids were looking through rubble.
Police also arrested alleged looters who live in Moore such as Edward Dean McDonald.
According to Steve Eddy, Moore City Manager, the looting is not by any means a large epidemic.
"We learned from the first tornado, and we have officers in that area 24/7," Eddy said. "We have no tolerance for it. We're not going to shoot them on sight or anything, but we will arrest anyone suspected of it."
Another EF5 tornado struck Oklahoma, not far from El Reno, on May 31, along with severe storms. Together they claimed the lives of 21 victims.
Authorities in Shawnee, Oklahoma say no arrests related to looting have been made since a tornado hit the town on May 19.
