He vowed to „seek the fullest prosecution possible available.“
Houston’s police chief is urging potential robbers to stay out of the city, promising to catch any criminals and „seek the fullest prosecution possible available.“
Armed robbers and looters have been arrested amid the devastation left behind by Hurricane Harvey, Police Chief Art Acevedo said.
Acevedo said at a news conference Tuesday that while Houston police have made over 3,500 rescues since the storm tore through the Houston area this weekend, causing at least seven deaths, wiping out homes and forcing evacuations, the department is still operating as a law enforcement agency and will not tolerate people victimizing others.
„This is the state of Texas. We’re a welcoming city, but we are not going to tolerate people victimizing, especially committing armed robberies in our community, “ the police chief said. „We’re going to catch you, and I promise you this: We are going to push hard — I’ve talked to the district attorney — to seek the fullest prosecution possible available for any crime that is committed.“
The police chief added, „Secondly, we’re going to urge juries and judges to give you the toughest sentence that you can possibly get.“
„So word to the wise: Don’t come to Houston, “ he said, „because you’re going to be caught. And I guarantee you when you take advantage of people and prey on them in these circumstances, that’s despicable behavior and we’re all going to push hard to make sure you don’t see the sunlight anytime soon.“
