A cross-border marine patrol helped Oak Bay Police recover thousands of dollars in stolen fishing equipment last week.
On August 27th, police received a report of theft from a vessel moored at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. The missing gear was valued at around $7,000.
On September 4th, officers with the RCMP Marine Border Enforcement Team, working alongside the United States Coast Guard under the Ship Rider program, spotted a sailing vessel near Fleming Bay in Esquimalt that had been flagged in previous investigations.
A check of the boat revealed fishing equipment that matched the stolen property and an outboard motor also believed to be stolen.
The 37-year-old Victoria man on board was arrested for possession of stolen property.
With a search warrant, Oak Bay Police later recovered nearly all of the stolen gear. The suspect has been released under conditions and is awaiting a court date.
No charges have been filed yet.
Deputy Chief Kris Rice credited teamwork on the water for the successful recovery.
“This investigation shows the strength of collaboration between police agencies,” Rice said. “Thanks to the coordinated efforts of Oak Bay Police, the RCMP Marine Border Enforcement Team, and the United States Coast Guard under the Ship Rider program, we were able to recover stolen property and move forward with a criminal investigation on the water.”
Police say their marine presence, part of Project Sea Watch, has greatly improved their ability to investigate crimes along Oak Bay’s coastline.
