Following the devastating tornadoes that swept through several southern states last week, local authorities reported that five thieves had been arrested for looting destroyed homes of the storm's victims.
According to Graves County Sheriff Jon Hayden, the looters are accused of going into the area "particularly hit hard by the tornado" on Friday and ransacking homes that have been destroyed.
The group was quickly confronted by several law enforcement agencies, who stopped them while they were trying to flee the area, towing several damaged vehicles.
The damaged vehicles the thieves were allegedly trying to take "were owned by tornado victims that have been displaced by the tornado, in the hospital, and/or deceased," Hayden said.
The thieves were not on the same page with their reasoning for taking the cars, as they gave different stories when confronted by officers.
Some claimed they had permission to be there, which deputies discovered was false after contacting homeowners. The ransackers were also caught with more than just stolen cars and household goods.
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Kaitlyn Moore, 29, was found with methamphetamine hidden in her body cavity, and Linda Morris, 52, was found with syringes containing methamphetamine in her purse and the vehicle she was operating, according to authorities.
Moore was charged with automobile theft, possession of methamphetamine, and tampering with evidence.
Morris was charged with automobile theft, possession of methamphetamine, driving with a suspended license, and theft of personal property after being found with a new pair of women's Ugg boots stolen from a home.
The others with Moore and Morris were Kevin Stowe, 55, Lynne Bailey, 56, and Ronnie White, 57. Bailey and White were the only two from Kentucky, Morris and Stowe were from Tennessee, and Moore did not have an address listed.
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Stowe was found to have more than $120,000 in his possession when he was arrested. He was charged with theft of an automobile and theft of a motor vehicle registration plate.
White and Bailey both received charges of unlawful taking of automobiles.
Following the group's arrests, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron gave his stance on the situation, saying, "looting and theft will not be tolerated."
"Our office has spoken with Graves County Sheriff Jon Hayden and Commonwealth's Attorney Richie Kemp, and the full force of the law will be brought against anyone who tries to take advantage of Kentuckians," the AG said in a statement.
