Amidst the widespread disruption caused by Hurricane Isaias, opportunistic individuals in Florida allegedly leveraged the storm’s aftermath to commit crimes, resulting in multiple arrests. In Escambia County, Dustin Kelley, 30, and Amanda Carr, 29, are accused of preying on a woman’s sympathy, falsely claiming to be working in the hurricane’s wake and seeking assistance to charge their dead phones. The woman, believing their story and witnessing Carr’s apparent distress, allowed them into her car. Once inside, Kelley and Carr allegedly stole the vehicle. A nearby deputy spotted the stolen car, initiating a chase that ended in a crash with no serious injuries. Sheriff Chip Simmons highlighted the swift response of law enforcement, stating, “So these two angels pretended like they needed a phone charged and ended up stealing a car. Unfortunately for them, they didn’t realize that the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has been out in full force looking for people just like them, and they’re going to jail now.” Kelley faces charges including larceny, fleeing police, and marijuana possession, while Carr is charged with larceny. In a separate incident during the power outage, Van Gary Spikes Jr. allegedly attempted to loot a 24-hour store by smashing a window. A deputy on patrol witnessed the attempted burglary, apprehended Spikes Jr. after a brief foot chase, and charged him with possession of burglary tools, wearing a mask during a felony, attempted burglary during a state of emergency, loitering, criminal mischief, and obstruction.
Adapted from: U.S. News Today on Fox News
