ASTORIA, Ore. — The Coast Guard helped in the apprehension of two suspected boat thieves Thursday near Brownsmead, Ore., 20 miles west of Astoria.
The owner of the stolen vessel contacted Coast Guard Group/Air Station Astoria around 7:45 p.m. to report that his friends witnessed two individuals boarding and taking off with his 24-foot aluminum boat from Astoria’s West Mooring Basin Marina.
A Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew was already airborne when they were diverted to the area to search for the stolen vessel. After an extensive search the crew discovered the vessel on the water approximately 20 miles from where it was taken.
The two suspects immediately grounded the vessel on top of a pier and took off on foot. The helicopter crew stayed with the two suspects until Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office officers arrived on scene and apprehended the suspects.
A rescue swimmer was later lowered to the stolen vessel to secure the single outboard engine and moore the vessel to the pier.
