Items Reportedly Stolen from Storm Debris in Tecumseh

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

TECUMSEH, Oklahoma -- As Oklahomans help one another sift through the mess Mother Nature has left behind by Monday's tornado, crooks are reportedly taking advantage of the disaster that struck the town of Tecumseh.

Tecumseh Police Chief Gary Crosby says a thief decided to help themselves in a crime of opportunity.

"Someone came in from the field to a destroyed barn and stole saddles and tools from the property," Crosby said.

Signs of Cleamon Rogers' hard labor are apparent in the century-old barn in Tecumseh, but after the tornado took off his roof thieves took off with a few of his belongings.

Rogers said neighbors were helping each other with cleanup but may have thought the crooks rolling through were just helping hands.

With downed power lines and poles blocking street after street, Rogers believes the crooks cut through the area with an ATV.

"As they made their circle around, well then they go out across my garden, that made me about as mad as anything, going across my garden, tearing down my tomato plants," Rogers said.

With the looting incident that happened Monday, police say that has sent some residents on edge.

"We've had a small handful of people, if that, that was upset," said Crosby. "The majority of the people that have come down here have been very appreciative and thankful that we are doing what we're doing."

Police have stepped up security since the storm ripped through the city with law enforcement from all over the state.

A curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. has been enforced to keep crooks out, and residents away from damaged phone poles and out of harms way.

"We've blocked off the more damaged areas, we're not letting anyone in unless they have identification with their address on it," Crosby said.