BoatUS rewards boater for help busting thieves
OAK HARBOR, Wash. — Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) recently honored a boater with $2,500 from its Theft Reward Program after he helped track down a group of thieves who had targeted marinas.
After his boat was burglarized at his marina, Peter Hunt of Oak Harbor went to the Internet, where he found the thieves selling the stolen items taken during a rash of boat burglaries — including his own chartplotter — on eBay.
He brought his findings to authorities, which helped lead to the arrest and conviction of an adult and two teenagers and recovery of over $50,000 in stolen electronic equipment. More than 90 percent of the goods stolen at Hunt’s marina were recovered and returned to owners.
The trio had burglarized three marinas on North Whidbey Island, Wash., as well as 30 cars.
Created to combat boat theft nationwide, all BoatUS members are automatically enrolled in the Theft Reward Program, which asks boat owners to affix orange theft reward stickers to their vessels.
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