As Hurricane Irma moved through Central Florida, investigators said a thief took advantage of the situation and broke into several businesses using a tow truck to crash into the stores.
The business owners said they were powerless as they sat and watched it happen on their cellphones because it was unsafe for law enforcement to respond.
Cellphone video showed the driver of the stolen tow truck plowing through the front of Fancy Fruit and Produce on Colonial Drive in Orange County.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Raw: Man in stolen tow truck plows through Orange County store during Irma
The truck ran over every register before the driver got out and made a beeline to the cash room, where he realized he couldn’t break into the safe.
It all happened in the midst of the powerful winds and rain that came with Hurricane Irma, but the thief didn’t stop there.
Minutes later, what appears to be the same man, strikes again at the Manilla Express convenience store owned by Jenny Deguzman.
Raw: Man in stolen tow truck steals ATM during Irma
“Absolutely aggravated and upset that someone would do this,” she said.
Surveillance video, which was streamed on Deguzman’s cellphone, shows the man tying a chain to the door before ripping it off.
The man returns three times in 10-minute increments and taking off with an ATM.
"The police couldn't come out because it was during the hurricane and everyone was supposed to be hunkered down for curfew and all that so nothing could've been done,” said Deguzman.
So for the remainder of the storm, she and other business owners watched helpless until curfew was lifted the following day.
“Karma will get you,” Deguzman said referring to the driver.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies said they made four arrests during the storm.
During the curfew period, 25 commercial burglaries were reported and 10 car burglaries.
Cox Media Group
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