BERKELEY, Mo., June 23 (UPI) -- Missouri tornado victims, many of whom had to leave their damaged homes, were victimized by looters, a woman who had to move out of her house said.
The tornadoes that damaged areas of north St. Louis County in April provided opportunities for looters while families worked to repair their homes, KSDK-TV, St. Louis, reported Wednesday.
Tonya Brown of Berkeley said she and her family moved out while contractors worked to rebuild their home, but they have sustained further losses due to two break-ins this week.
"Someone broke in again, stole some power tools and some more jewelry, and last night they came back and stole all the copper piping from the water heater, washer, dryer," said Brown. "We were supposed to get back in this week; however, that's going to be delayed because of the pipe stealing."
Brown said that two months after the tornado, some of the street lights in the area still are out, which make it easier for looters.
"These people are already victims. They're trying to rebuild their homes to move back there. To have someone come and take advantage of them again is just not acceptable," said Berkeley Police Department Chief Frank McCall Jr.
