FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. �� Squads of thieves out to help themselves saw Hurricane Irma as an opportunity instead of a threat.
After thousands of people fled their homes, the crooks moved in on their homes and businesses.
_Two 17-year-olds burglarized a home in Weston, and a deputy shot one of them, authorities said.
The owners of the home were out of the country, but they spotted a burglary in progress on their home security cameras and called the Broward Sheriff's Office.
Deputies shot Dylan Lemon, of Weston, outside the home about 3 a.m. Sunday and arrested Jean Coello, also of Weston. The Sheriff's Office did not explain the circumstances of the shooting. The wounded teenager was hospitalized.
_Nine people were arrested Sunday afternoon and accused of looting on West Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Television news footage showed people clambering in and out of a jagged hole in a shattered window, snatching sneakers and clothing from a sportswear store. A block away, they pilfered took what they could from a pawn shop, police said.
The crimes happened even before the height of the storm swept into South Florida Sunday, authorities said.
"I didn't think we would be dealing with looters until after the storm cleared," said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler. "We have people that have been victimized by this storm. You don't further victimize them by stealing their property and taking their money from them."
(Larry Barszewski contributed to this report.)
Ryan Cook and Max Saintvil were arrested overnight on burglary charges by Fort Lauderdale police.
Ryan Cook and Max Saintvil were arrested overnight on burglary charges by Fort Lauderdale police. (Fort Lauderdale Police Department / courtesy)
