NEWBURY, Mass. -- Looters have struck what is left of the home a widow lost to the ocean on the day before Thanksgiving.

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Uncut: Watch House Demolished | Uncut Video: Ocean Threatens Homes

"Geri Buzzotta's entire life is in that rubble pile, and these people have no concern about bringing backpacks and metal detectors to this area to see if they can benefit from her misfortune," Newbury police chief Michael Reilly told the Eagle-Tribune.

Crews were forced to demolish Buzzotta’s house on Plum Island after officials decided beach erosion had put the property in danger of falling into the sea. A strong rainstorm Tuesday lashed the area with high winds, roiling surf in the already highly eroded area.

Reilly said that after the demolition was shown live on television news, the location became easy for looters to find.

"They're coming from everywhere," he told the newspaper. He said looters have been ignoring the yellow police tape and attempting to steal the possessions left in the rubble.

"It sickens me to have to keep police officers posted at this site to keep these vultures away," Reilly said.

He did not say what might have been stolen. There have been no arrests.

Buzzotta, 79, lost the home she had shared for years with her late husband. A local inn has given her a room, free of charge, while she deals with her loss. Her family said she will eventually move to Florida.