Victims of November's tornado in OKC dealing with uptick in looters
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A southeast Oklahoma City neighborhood, heavily damaged by November’s tornado, has been dealing with looters for weeks.
Jenna Russell said she and her neighbors have been on edge after spotting thieves sifting through homes left vacant while homeowners rebuild. She said since police stopped patrolling the area, the crime has gotten worse.
"It's ridiculous and it's not ok," said Russell. "They're hitting these houses and it's adding insult to injury that people that have already lost like everything."
Since the storm wiped out parts of her home, as well as her back fence, she can look out her window and see many of the severely damaged houses. She said two days ago she noticed something unusual happening at the home directly behind her house.
“My neighbor’s door was open,” said Russell. "I kind of peered in and I could hear somebody in there."
Russell said she called the police and her neighbor. Thieves broke into the house, stole valuables and got away before officers arrived.
Rick Massey’s wife was injured in the tornado. He said they have since moved out of the house while he cares for her and waits until the house is fixed.
He says he has been hit more than once by thieves.
“Last week they stole a generator, a chainsaw and extension cords,” said Massey. “My generator had never been used.”
He too called the police and filed a report.
Mike Makowicz and his family snapped photos of people who were pilfering through another neighbor’s garage.
"My wife and daughter yelled at them and they just took off. One jumped through the window of the driver's side,” said Makowicz. “They took off peeling down the street, over the curb, so they didn't belong there."
Several neighbors living in the area have walked into their homes with thieves inside.
“I’m just afraid someone is going to get shot,” said Makowicz.
The neighbors said they have called police multiple times, but the looters have gotten away before officers arrived. They have also reached out to council members and lawmakers for help to solve the problem.