WATCH: Looters Caught On Camera Stealing From Local Stores During Hurricane Irma

Nine people were arrested after they were caught on camera by a crew of a TV station breaking into and looting stores during Hurricane Irma in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to police.

Footage by local news station WPLG shows a group breaking through the front window of a sportswear store, Simon’s Sportswear, and escaping with the stolen goods.

In another video, a group is seen looting the Foot Locker and CashAmerica Pawn stores that were nearby. It is not clear if both the groups were the same.

Officers captured the alleged thieves Sunday. “Going to prison over a pair of sneakers is a fairly bad choice,” Fort Lauderdale Police Department Chief Maglione said in a statement. “Stay home and look after your loved ones and be thankful they are all safe.”

Other instances of looting were also reported from across the state as people fled their homes to escape from Irma.

According to Daily Mail, a local television reporter witnessed a group of men looting another sports store in Miami on Sunday.

Men from the group were seen walking out of the store with boxes of shoes and other supplies.

The Miami-Dade Police Department tweeted about the burglaries: "We have made numerous arrests for looting. We're on patrol & won't tolerate criminal activity as our community recovers from #HurricaneIrma!"

Tampa Bay Times reported that a family in St. Petersburg, which had evacuated their home in anticipation of the hurricane, was horrified to return briefly and discover that their house had been looted.

The Daily Mail also reported that two teenagers were arrested in Florida for breaking into a home that had been vacated by its owners to escape the hurricane. One 18-year-old boy and another 17-year-old boy were arrested by Polk County Sheriff's Office for looting the empty Lake Wales home. The 17-year-old suspect had a window punch in his pocket and he told the police that they had walked around the neighborhood until they located a house that had not been boarded up.

In another case, a 30-year-old man was caught burglarizing Atlantic Hardscapes in St. Lucie on Saturday.

St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken J. Mascara said after the incident: "I have said over and over that we will not tolerate looting or price gouging. We have deputies actively patrolling the county, including our beach communities, to ensure the safety and security of your homes and businesses. If you think you are going to take advantage of these evacuated properties, be prepared to spend the storm at the county jail."

Other police departments also issued warnings to looters on Twitter and asked people to stay safe.

“ATTENTION LOOTERS; Every incident will be investigated. Evidence collected will be used to pursue charges after the fact,” the Broward County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a tweet.

“Any looters who come to Pembroke Pines will be greeted by our officers,” the Pembroke Pines Police Department tweeted. “Choose wisely and stay home.”