Detectives Need Help to Solve Boat Motor Thefts
39 motors have been stolen in the lower Keys since January

Posted Sunday, July 12, 2009

 
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Lower Keys - Detectives in the Lower Keys say they are investigating
multiple boat motor thefts and need the public's assistance.

Between January and July, 39 boat motors and lower units from boat
motors have been stolen in the Lower Keys, between Big Pine Key and
Stock Island. While it is difficult to tell for sure, detectives believe
many of the thefts may be connected. In most cases, the motors are large
ones - 200 HP or more. Many have been taken from unoccupied homes.

Detectives say they need two things from the public:
1. They need people to make sure they store their boats in secure, well
lighted areas.
2. They need people to report suspicious activity in their
neighborhoods. In the past, arrests have been made in cases like this
one, but the arrests are almost always made because an alert neighbor
saw suspicious activity and reported it.

If you see anything you consider to be out of the ordinary or suspicious
happening in your neighborhood - someone you don't know who on your
neighbor's property, or looking too closely at your neighbor's boat for
instance - call 911 immediately. If you have any information about these
boat motor thefts, contact the Sheriff's Office or call Crime Stoppers
of the Florida Keys. Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous and
will be eligible for a cash reward if their tip leads to an arrest. The
Crime Stoppers hot line number is 1-800-346-TIPS.