/

Looters Hit Buffalo Stores After Historic Blizzard Ravages City

[Photo Credit: By Andre Carrotflower - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=91462642]

Looters reportedly trashed and destroyed businesses in Buffalo, New York over the weekend, as dangerous harsh winter weather and freezing temperatures prevented local officials from conducting regular patrols.

New York State Police apparently responded to social media accusations that several shops in Buffalo had their windows broken and products destroyed or stolen, while at least 27 people were killed in New York alone as a result of a severe snowfall.

According to local media, these establishments include all Wegmans and Tops sites in Erie County, which have been shuttered since Friday due to the brutal storm.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown told reporters Monday that the looters who raided the unattended retailers were “the lowest of the low.”

“And from some of the pictures that we’ve seen on social media of these looters, they’re not looting foods and medicines, they’re just looting items that they want. So these aren’t even people in distress — these are people who are taking advantage of a national disaster and the suffering of many in our community to take what they want.” Brown continued.

According to New York State Police Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli, officials were summoned to two verified complaints of looting occurrences.

Travel prohibitions were imposed in Buffalo and nearby regions by New York officials, who urged cars to remain off the highways so that emergency personnel could have a clean and passable route.

[READ MORE: Congressman Elect Admits to Fabricating Key Parts of His Resume]