Flagler homes, businesses burglarized during Hurricane Matthew

14 homes, 3 businesses targeted

PALM COAST, Fla. – The Flagler County Sheriff's Office is asking for any information in regards to a sting of burglaries that took place while people evacuated for Hurricane Matthew.

Video: Burglars strike evacuated homes as Hurricane Matthew hit Florida

Shantelle Silvester and her family members went to Tampa, but when they returned home, they noticed their house had been ransacked.

"The TV was gone, all my kids' gaming system was gone (and) they took important papers, pictures (and) birth certificates," Silvester said.

But Silvester and her family were not the only victims.

The Sheriff's Office said a total of 14 homes and 3 business were broken into while the storm passed, including a gun store where 41 handguns, along with shot guns and rifles, were stolen.

"I feel bad, like everybody was worried (and) scared," said Max Elghali, the manager of a burglarized gas station. "And you find out like, someone robbed here -- broke in. It doesn't look right."

While the robbers may have had the same motive, authorities said the incidents are not connected.

"It breaks our heart that it happened, but still, we can't be everywhere at the same time these criminals are," said Jim Troiano, with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.

If you have any information in regards to the burglaries, contact the Sheriff's Office.


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