Law enforcement agencies coordinate against looting, scams

State and federal officials along with prosecutors and police on Thursday targeted looting and other disaster-related predatory crimes in a bid to keep law and order across the region.

The effort comes as fewer looters appear to be operating and law enforcement focuses on keyboard criminals and scammers trying to commit identity theft, price gouging and insurance or investment fraud.

Representatives from federal and state law enforcement agencies formed a working group Thursday to investigate and prosecute illegal activity related to Hurricane Harvey, announced acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez.

"The last thing that victims of this damage need is to be victimized again," Martinez said in a news release. "Under the lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina, we bring a comprehensive law enforcement focus to combat any criminal activity arising from the tragedy of Hurricane Harvey and the rebuilding efforts underway."

The 12 coordinating agencies, including the FBI, the ATF and the Harris County District Attorney's Office will focus on white-collar crimes that emerge during disasters and violent crimes like looting and armed robbery.

Officials with the DA's office said six looters were arrested Wednesday night, capping the total of accused burglars at 46 in the wake of Hurricane Harvey's floods. Two people were arrested for violating curfew, court records show.

Mayor Sylvester Turner issued an open-ended mandatory citywide curfew from midnight to 5 a.m. which began Tuesday.

The curfew implemented across Houston Tuesday seemed to tamp down looting and crime as police across the region transitioned back from rescuing to patrolling.

In north Harris County, a Spring man was arrested for burglarizing a business, accused of looting a liquor store.

Deputies with the Pct. 4 Constable's Office arrived on the scene to arrest 25-year-old Abdu Wiley, who was hiding in a locked bathroom of Capri Liquor, located in the 3000 block of FM 1960.

Because he was arrested for allegedly looting during a natural disaster, he faces the possibility of 20 years in prison if convicted. District Attorney Kim Ogg announced early this week that her office would seek enhanced punishments available during a disaster under Texas law.

Wiley's bond was set at $15,000 after a magistrate judge heard that he was a repeat offender with at least three other convictions for burglary or trespassing with a weapon.

Pct. 4 Constable Mark Herman said Wiley is a career criminal who was arrested after deputies, stationed across that precinct responded to an alarm in less than a minute.

Even though his jurisdiction is outside the curfew implemented in Houston, he said officers are actively watching people driving around at night.

"We work a lot of traffic around here so if you're out there driving around at late hours, there's a high probability you'll get pulled over," he said.

In Montgomery County, deputies said they caught a man looting his neighbor's home in River Plantation late Wednesday, the first reported case of looting in that county.

Caleb Andrew Carmichael, 34, is being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $100,000 bond for a felony burglary of a home in the 400 block of Brandon Road around 10 p.m.

Carmichael lives about a block away from the victim's home, according to jail records.

If convicted of looting a home during a disaster, he faces the possibility of life in prison under the enhanced punishment law.

Just days before his arrest, Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon made national news announcing he will be seeking mandatory jail time for those found guilty of looting during the storm.

"Leniency and probation will be off the table for these offenses committed during this time," Ligon stated in a social media post.

To report identity theft, insurance scams and other financial crimes, victims can email the Disaster Fraud Hotline at disaster@leo.gov or call 1-866-720-5721. It is staffed by a live operator 24 hours a day. Fax information to 225-334-4707.

To report other scams, price gouging or charities fraud, call the Texas Attorney General's Office Consumer Protection Division at their toll-free hotline at 800-621-0508, send an email to: consumeremergency@oag.texas.gov or file a complaint at: https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/cpd/file-a-consumer-complaint.