Looter gets 20 years for stealing electronics, tobacco from Walmart during Hurricane Harvey

HOUSTON--- A man convicted of stealing during Hurricane Harvey was sentenced Wednesday to 20 years in prison.

Thomas Gamelin, 38, was convicted of stealing $5,228 worth of electronics and tobacco products from a Walmart closed during the hurricane.

On Aug. 29, 2017, a Houston Police officer driving by the Walmart on Silber Road saw a Ford van that appeared to have been used to smash open a cart doorway, as well as Gamelin carrying a television. The incident was also caught on surveillance video, police said.

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Gamelin was arrested and charged with burglary of a building. He was convicted after a two-day trial and sentenced Wednesday. Officials say he was on parole for a drug conviction at the time of the incident.