Date: Thursday, August 5, 2021
Files: 21-30538, 21-28201, 21-28944, 21-30154, 21-30369, 21-31098, 21-31089
Victoria, BC – Investigators are warning the public after a series of marine thefts in late July and early August. We are also asking for your help to identify a suspect in one recent Victoria boat theft.
21-30538 Zodiac Stolen from Victoria, Recovered in Ladysmith
During the early morning hours of Thursday, July 29th, a suspect stole a 25-foot Zodiac boat from the Victoria International Marina, located at 1 Cooperage Place in Victoria. The boat was equipped with two new Yamaha 175 horsepower engines. The boat is valued at over $100,000.
Later that same day, at approximately 6 p.m., the boat was located near Slack Point in Ladysmith and recovered by the Ladysmith RCMP. The owner was reunited with their boat. However, the suspect remains outstanding.
The suspect is described as 35 to 40-year-old Caucasian man standing approximately five feet, six inches tall and weighing approximately 140 pounds. The suspect wore a red hooded sweater and a yellow shoulder bag. The suspect was last seen in Ladysmith riding a blue mountain bike, which he unloaded from the boat when he left the area. A photograph of the suspect is below.
Do you recognize this boat theft suspect?
This incident is part of a concerning trend in Victoria and Esquimalt where officers have seen 14 marine-related thefts since mid-July. Thieves have targeted boats, kayaks, motorized vessels and engines during this series.
Officers are reminding you to secure your marine vessels and equipment and report any suspicious activity.
These files remains under investigation.
If you have information about these marine theft incidents or recognize this suspect, please call our non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654. To report what you know anonymously, please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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