On September 30, 2024, deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 23-year-old Anthony Gross, a Tampa resident, while assisting with Hurricane Helene recovery operations in Taylor County. Gross, employed by Doodie Calls, a company providing laundry and restroom trailers as part of the relief efforts in the Dekle Beach area, took advantage of the situation in an attempt to steal from those impacted by the disaster.
Gross was seen taking a fishing pole that belonged to a resident whose home had been destroyed by the hurricane. A vigilant citizen noticed the theft and immediately reported it to a nearby deputy. When confronted by deputies, Gross openly admitted to stealing the fishing pole and had placed it in his work vehicle, intending to keep it.
Gross was arrested and charged with theft during a state of emergency, a felony offense. He was transported to the Taylor County jail by local deputies.