Looting suspect preyed on NC arts district ravaged by Hurricane Helene, cops say
A man accused of looting a prominent arts district devastated by Hurricane Helene is headed to prison for at least the next four years, according to prosecutors in North Carolina.
Dennis Gates Miller was sentenced to 48 to 80 months after pleading guilty to a series of felonies that included looting, breaking and entering, and assault on a law enforcement officer with physical injury, the Asheville Police Department said in an April 15 Facebook post.
The charges stem from 33-year-old Miller’s Oct. 8 arrest in Asheville’s storm-ravaged River Arts District (RAD), police said.
“Miller was violating the city’s 7:30 p.m. emergency curfew and was seen out and about in the RAD, an area significantly impacted by flooding from the French Broad River during Hurricane Helene,” police said.
“Evidence showed Miller was looting buildings in the disaster-affected area, including beer from the Marquee Asheville at 36 Foundy Street. When confronted by officers, Miller attempted to escape on a motorcycle that was later determined to be stolen.”
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Helene’s impact in the River Arts District has gotten national coverage, due to the district’s ambitious nature and the extent of damage.
Many of the 26 buildings “suffered catastrophic damage, with precious artwork, supplies, and essential equipment for creators lost in the floodwaters,” district officials say. “Most working artist studios were lost.”
Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams said Miller was exploiting the community as it struggled to recover from a natural disaster. Miller was arrested a second time the same month, on Oct. 19, again riding a stolen motorcycle, officials noted.
“Preying on residents when they are most traumatized and defenseless is unconscionable and we will hold criminal opportunists accountable,” Williams said in an April 14 news release.
This story was originally published April 15, 2025 at 1:52 PM with the headline "Looting suspect preyed on NC arts district ravaged by Hurricane Helene, cops say."