WATCH: Looters attack Family Dollar while management asks police

As thousands of people struggle to overcome the damage caused by Hurricane Florence, the citizens of Wilmington broke into the closed Family Dollar on Greenfield Street Saturday to steal everything they could find.

WECT reporter Chelsea Donovan arrived on Friday to find dozens of people carrying items in Houston Moore's public housing community.

"When we arrived on Greenfield Street Hill, we could just see people everywhere," Chelsea Donovan said.

Donovan and another WECT employee walked to the main entrance and back exit of the store, at the intersection of Greenfield and South 13 streets, and saw people wearing masks and carrying various objects, including paper articles.

What Donovan did not see, is the law enforcement and there is a reason.

Wilmington police issued a statement Saturday afternoon that the Family Dollar management had asked them to resign after receiving reports of looting in the store.

As a result of these looting, Wilmington Police announced that they would impose an extended curfew for the blocks between 13, 14, Greenfield and Martin Streets. The curfew will come into effect at 5 pm and will last until 6 o'clock in the morning.

Earlier this week, District Attorney Ben David said he was working on clearing prison space so that looters could be accused of taking advantage of disastrous situations.

Brunswick County authorities arrested four people earlier this week on charges of breaking and entering.

Faced with the situation, Donovan and the photographer withdrew into their vehicle.

"I worried all the time, I will not lie, but I was there to tell the story," Donovan said.

After the looting, District Attorney Ben David reiterated a statement he had made before the passage of Hurricane Florence on the coast: "There is a vacant sign on our prison".

David and Judge J Corpening allowed detainees suffering from minor offenses to be released on their own pledge, while others were transported to other detention centers to make room for them. anyone who benefits from this situation.

"We have room for people who will show the worst of humanity during this time. If that means going into unoccupied homes because people have left or looting goods exposed to the elements or excessive prices, this is a result of cleaning up, "said David.

David said his advice to the chief of police is to pursue looters within the law. A company can decide what it wants to do civilly, but it was advised to the police to advance.

"It's a crime," David said. "These are serious crimes, and they will be seriously punished."

Regarding the looting of the Family Dollar, David said that some people could be identified by watching the video. It encourages people to report anyone they recognize.

David has made it clear that the forces of order are ready to do their job.

"We're going to do everything in our power to protect your property, it's not an answer to the video, it's been our message before the storm hit," said David. this community. "

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