My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

[diesel5599]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

Sorry, this touched a nerve...

Whether or not a license plate can be "enhanced" to the point of recognition has nothing to do with whether the officers are good or bad.....

I thought I had pretty realistic expectations, since I knew the recovery statistics, but even so I was still surprised that they could not get fingerprints off the garden hose.

The video clearly shows them having to unhook the hose attached to the engine, but when I mentioned it, TPD said its not the right material to get prints off of, so really that was my only hope.

Have you considered sending the video to a local news station? Might be something they would consider airing. Somebody is bound to recognize that truck.

The actual auto theft detective is supposed to be at work tomorrow, I figured I'd at least wait for his advice before proceeding. There is a chance he might know who they are and they may not realize they were recorded, by going to the news I may be blowing the element of surprise.

Then again, by waiting, I've probably given them a chance to get to the Bahamas by now.

 

[freeisforme]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

What if the repo guys had the wrong address or something? Its possible your boat got mistaken for another and they simply picked up the wrong boat.

In any event, I feel bummed for you. There is nothing worse than a thief!

This is pretty much the way I was thinking since you have a title in hand.
The Bahamas idea is also something that crossed my mind.
(Bahamas, Cuba, Mexico, or any number of fine upstanding South American destinations).

I'd expect that boat to already either have been stripped and sold for parts or on it's way to some drug dealer south of the border. If you've ever spent any time in South America or even parts of Mexico, you would realize how easy it is for a car or boat to be sold with fake or no papers. Got pulled over in Costa Rica once, the officer all but told me that he could right me a ticket for speeding, or I could save myself and two buddies the day or two in jail with a crisp new American $20 bill. The four officers carried automatic rifles, and most likely stopped everyone that came down that dirt road through the jungle. They never checked the car, where it came from or who owned it. So I doubt boats are treated much different. The car was borrowed from the old guy we rented the house for the month from. It nor any other transaction down there included any sort of paperwork. Of course a 1960 something Volvo isn't a likely theft candidate, even there.

 

[SangerTom]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

Never thought about the removable tongue. Guess I will have to address that. The guy that I bought my boat from, actually had an alarm installed that sounds and alarm and flashes the tower lights. Good for when someone is home.

Will look into the wheel lock

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

I reposted your youtube on my facebook. Maybe someone will recognize the truck or something. Good luck with the recovery man. That just sucks.

 

[jonesg]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

Talk to your outboard dealer , maybe the thieves will run the serial numbers to check on the condition of the engines.

They are so well versed at towing a boat and familiar with boats that I'd expect it to be located at a boat yard, under cover.

 

[jgriner]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

they boat ppl dude did a walkaround looking to see if anything like a ladder was hanging down, glad to see him but it in his truck not the boat. maybe when they off load it they will forget about the ladder in truck, it would tie them all together

one thing i cant stand is a thief

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

Boat thieves don't drive around in vehicles registered to them and they don't use the plates that go with the vehicle. I think you are wasting your time trying to enhance the video.

While you may find your boat, you will never see the engines again and they won't be serviced at any dealer who has access to US ownership info based on the serial numbers.

Sorry, but other than the possibility of a mistaken repo, that's the reality of the situation.



???

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

The FBI has a database, but keeps the information away from the public[/B].[/I]

WT# ??

I don't know that this is entirely accurate...there are two "systems" used to record crime stats by the FBI: UCR, or Uniform Crime Report, and the NIBRS, or National Incident Based Reporting System.

UCR only tracks what is called index crimes, which the FBI lumps into 7 different categories - murder, rape, aggravated assaults, burglary, larceny/theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.

Boat theft would be lumped into either the MV theft or the regular larceny category...impossible to separate out the number and value.

NIBRS goes into more detail, with 22 categories of crime tracked, but again, boat theft would be grouped into either MV theft or general larceny.

Based on this, I would not venture so far as to say it is intentionally not made available to the public, but rather it is not tracked separately so it is not able to be made available.

I would bet that the NICB (National Insurance Crime Bureau) would have stats on stolen boats. They are an association of insurance companies that act as a clearinghouse for insurance stats, as well as other services for insurance companies. They are not a government entity and therefore not subject to sunshine laws or Freedom of Info Act, however.

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

I thought I had pretty realistic expectations, since I knew the recovery statistics, but even so I was still surprised that they could not get fingerprints off the garden hose.

The video clearly shows them having to unhook the hose attached to the engine, but when I mentioned it, TPD said its not the right material to get prints off of, so really that was my only hope.

I apologize if I implied that your expectations were unrealistic, that was not my intent. My statements were meant to be in a more general direction and not directed at you personally.

They were correct about the hose...certain types of material do not lend themselves to fingerprint recovery. Most anything with texture to it puts it beyond the capability of most police dept's to develop prints. Car interiors are about the worst place to try to print due to everything having a texture to it. It's not necessarily impossible, but the special equipment and training needed is beyond the scope of most PD's and are used in only the most serious of crimes, such as murders.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

At this point I just hope you get a new boat. That thing looked brand new, so I'd think you'd be owed brand new. I've heard great things about Boat US, who I also went through for insurance.

Heck, I know it sucks, but you could even make out in the deal.

Good luck man...and if you're in Jersey soon, I'll help you out with your boating fix.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

AWWWW man that is harsh!!!!


I cant stand thieves!!

Good luck on the recovery.

 

[Purecarnagge]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

I'd contact your insurance company and be like you need to provide me another boat up to these specs

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

Ughh, this makes me sick. I hate that we have to fort knox all of our possessions. I recently went to Home Depot and got a 12 foot heavy duty chain. That combined with a thick master lock. I take the chain and put it through a trailer wheel, through the trailer, then through the ski hoop on the back of the boat. They'd either have to spend an hour cutting the chain, or try to drive with one wheel skipping down the road.

 

[sethjon]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

My 2006 Century 2400 WA was stolen yesterday in broad daylight from my driveway. The one thing the thieves did not count on was my CCTV cameras that caught the whole thing from 3 different angles. Although the police are actively investigating the theft, and I know it is a really long shot, if anyone happens to see a yellow Century 2400 WA in the Tampa Florida area with a registration number ending in 85RY, I'd really appreciate it if you would contact the authorities immediately.

Below is a link to the video of the boat being stolen. The individuals were driving a Black/Dark colored Ford Excursion with a tan or gray lower fascia. The boat is sitting on a Shorelander trailer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0sungAwdoc

Oh and lessons learned:
Buy a hitch lock, buy a wheel lock, and use both of them at all times. The only good news here is the boat was fully insured and I'd recently removed all of my tackle to thoroughly detail the boat, so nothing irreplaceable was on board.

I also get to find out two things, how good the Tampa police are at recovering a stolen boat, and if its not recovered how good BoatUS insurance really is.

Sorry about the loss. Glad you now know to use a hitch lock. You should also remove the slider when you take the boat off because people rip those off too. Or leave it on and get a lock for that too.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

That is just sickening! So sorry man!
I bet those twin Yammies are already on another boat somewhere.

If i ever caught someone hooking mine up i would be in jail for shooting the sorry bassturds!

Send the video to all the local news stations and offer a reward for information of who these A-holes are.
Surely someone will rat them out.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

Diesel, this is a real bummer and I'm sorry about your boat getting stolen. It's freaking unfair as hell and just a raw deal times 10.

Bottom line is there's nothing you could have done.

Watching the video makes it plain this was a well-planned theft. At a guess, I'd say you were followed home from a launch ramp at some time and then they cased your house to find out the routine. Most likely they were parked somewhere waiting for you to leave and that would explain the close timing when they actually stole the boat.

Again, it's just my guess, but I would say it's highly likely that they would have been ready for whatever anti-theft devices you could have put on the boat as well. Because they obviously did extensive recon on your place, they would have known about any hitch locks and other stuff you had in place, wheel locks, etc. At best, these devices would have taken them an extra minute to defeat. I've heard time and time again from law enforcement pros and cops that anti-theft devices only discourage amateurs. Pros take the time to learn how to defeat them quickly because they know that what they're stealing is worth it.

I don't buy the line some guys are spouting about it being a repo, even if it's mistaken. Repo guys don't spend days doing recon on each vehicle as these guys obviously did. They come in fast, but what's missing is that they always have someone with eyes on the house so if someone comes out for a confrontation, they don't get blindsided.

It doesn't look like anyone in this video is concerned with the house and who might come out proving again that they knew there was nobody home.

Also, repo guys knew they're in deep #### if they repo the wrong boat. If it is repo guys involved, it's nothing to do with a legal repo, they're just professional thieves on the side. The little walk-around inspection might have been done just to make it look "official" in case someone was watching.

Again, it's a raw deal but at the end of the day you did the best you could with the cameras and most importantly with insurance. It's a good reminder to us all: Do you have enough insurance? Are you sure?

Grouse

 

[diesel5599]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

Ughh, this makes me sick. I hate that we have to fort knox all of our possessions. I recently went to Home Depot and got a 12 foot heavy duty chain. That combined with a thick master lock. I take the chain and put it through a trailer wheel, through the trailer, then through the ski hoop on the back of the boat. They'd either have to spend an hour cutting the chain, or try to drive with one wheel skipping down the road.

Yea that's my point too, sure all these locking technologies and mechanisms exist but why should we have to use them? Its enough I have to carry a set of house keys, truck keys, boat ignition keys, and hitchlock keys. Now I'm going to have to carry a tongue lock key, and wheel lock keys. While I'm at it I might as well get a prop lock for the SS props, and pay a monthly subscription to LoJack in case it gets stolen anyway.

I should probably even get a trailer ball lock so that when I'm at the dock the trailer cannot be unhitched from the truck without bolt cutters or yet another key. And imagine losing one of the keys to one of the locks.

Its a real shame that this is what it has come to.

 

[marlboro180]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

Diesel,

Sorry your boat got ripped off, and I agree that is a shame we need to lock everything down like Fort Knox nowadays.

It was on your property, and those bums came up and ripped you off.

Hoping for a recovery for you, no matter what a longshot that seems to be.

M

 

[shrew]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

I dind't read all 74 posts, so I apologize. It was stated by several that this looked like a recovery team. True, banks make paperwork mistakes, as do people. USUALLY the bank and the Repo Crew have a HID or VIN for the vehicle they're repossessing. I've never sent anyone my state registration numbers for my boats or cars to the bank.

Even though banks do make clerical errors, usually professionals will have some paperwork and verify the HID before proceding with the recovery. I would also think they would have tried to raise the drives as they don't want to liable for any damage to the bank's property. (IF is was a recovery, regardless if it was a mistake in paperwork. I'm in no way implying it was a recovery or that the OP was behind on payments, etc.. I will assume all is right with the bank in this case, or that the boat is owned outright).

They did have the right connector and ball on their receiver but that info could be had with a simple late night stroll down the street.

Just a thought.

 

[TMoNeE]

Re: My Boat Was Stolen Yesterday!! Caught On Tape

Repo's have to be cleared with the police within like 6 hours, so when they saw his boat and that there was a theft report on the boat, it would have already been cleared up. It is not a repo mistake.

And it is a sad shame and violating feeling when your stuff gets stolen, regardless that its replaceable, sorry you are going through it diesel.