CLENDENIN, W.Va. — In the wake of devastating flooding, there are some who are using the crisis to take advantage of those who have lost their homes and possessions.
DNR Officer Stuart Simms said looting has been an issue in the past week in areas hit hardest by the floods.
“There’s folks out there that are hurting, they’ve lost a lot of their property and it’s a shame that we’ve got individuals out there willing to take advantage of them,” Simms said.
Simms warned potential looters that they could be the target of violence if caught by residents who are already devastated.
“Looters will be lucky if they’re caught and arrested,” he said. “Otherwise, if a landowner catches them, who knows what’s going to happen.”
The DNR and other law enforcement will be keeping an eye out for future incidents of looting as the cleanup effort continues, Simms said.
“Just an unfortunate thing that’s been going on and hopefully one of us gets to them first. There’s just very little tolerance for that at this point.”
An arrest was made in Fayette County on Tuesday after a man was driving around the Nallen and Russellville area stealing from an abandoned vehicle.