Nebraska tornadoes: National Guard to help protect damaged areas from looting [Video]

ELKHORN, Neb. (WOWT) – Damaged homes clearly show where last Friday’s tornadoes hit.

Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson said they’re a magnet for thieves.

“Just kicking people when they’re down, it’s wrong,” Hanson said. “Not only these people who have impacted homes, but most of these contractors we’re seeing, they’re small business owners.”

Even before the storms, areas like the one near North 204th Street and Kansas Avenue already had contractors working on development. Now, Hanson said even more are there to work on storm recovery, increasing the number of potential targets for thieves to get tools and high-value equipment.

“We’re going to need to really be on our game to make sure that the criminal element does not come down here and victimize these people further.”

He said anyone caught trespassing in a storm-impacted spot will not simply be cited, but going to jail.

“You’re going to get booked,” …