Katrina evacuees targets for crime in Memphis

It appears some criminals have been out looking for Louisiana license plates, police say. Many victims have had their vehicles taken, along with thousands of dollars in cash and valuables.

Evelyn Scivicque and her family are among at least 56 hurricane evacuees who’ve been targeted by Memphis criminals, when a thief broke into their truck and stole a purse and boxes of donated clothes.

After everything they’ve been through since evacuating from Marrero, La., it certainly didn’t make them feel better.

“I can’t complain though,” Scivicque said. “Everybody here has been wonderful. This has been the only bad thing that happened. You just have a bad element — I’m from New Orleans, I know how it is.”

Memphis Police are increasing patrols to deter thieves in areas where evacuees are staying, said spokesman Vince Higgins.

“These people have loaded their cars up and come from God knows where with anything they could chuck in there, and they can’t be expected to keep them in hotel rooms, when many of them are going to shelters now,” Higgins said.

Higgins said police will be especially tough on anyone caught targeting hurricane refugees.

“The (Shelby County district attorney general) will prosecute them under a no deals policy,” he said.

One Louisiana man staying in a Red Roof Inn had three shotguns and a rifle, valued at $1,200, taken from his Dodge truck.

A Metairie, La., woman staying at a Days Inn told police someone raided her Ford Excursion and stole a $10,000 coin collection, family photos and birth certificates, $10,000 in jewelry, $6,000 cash, a $200 cedar chest and a $350 gun.

Others have lost clothes, credit cards, purses, jewelry, car seats, CDs, guns, food, computer equipment, tools and cameras.

Higgins said evacuees should try to leave valuables either in a hotel lock box or secure room.

“Try as best as you can to reduce the exposure, to not have things in plain view,” he said.