Jet-ski thieves arrested

| 22/06/2009

(CNS):  Police have arrested five people including a juvenile in connection with a spate of jet-ski thefts. Officers and the Department of Environment have recovered a total of 8machines recently some of which were discovered hidden in mangroves in West Bay. “We are pleased to have located 8 of the Jet Skis which have recently been stolen,” said Inspector Brad Ebanks from the Marine Unit. “We have also made a number of arrests and hope this will send a clear message to those involved in the thefts that they will be caught.”

Police said that seven of the machines will be returned to their rightful owners while one still requires the owner to be identified. Five of the personal water crafts were discovered in the Myles Road area of George Town after a member of the public reported suspicious activity in the area. The others along with 2 stolen boat engines, were located by the Marine Unit and DoE during their enquiries.  Meanwhile four other reports of thefts of Jet Skis are currently under investigation.

Four men aged between 17 and 21 were arrestedon suspicion of theft on Friday (June 19) in connection with three of the thefts. Another juvenile was arrested on Saturday (June 20) on suspicion of theft and handling stolen goods in connection with the theft of one wave runner.

“Jet Skis and their parts are sought after items and owners should take all precautions possible to protect them from theft,” said Inspector Ebanks. “Secure your machine with a heavy duty chain and padlock that cannot be easily cut through and take all removable items with you into the house or shed. It would be beneficial if owners could disable their water crafts as best they can and if possible remove the machine from the water. These offenders have gone to great lengths to steal these machines. Lock your trailer so it can’t be towed away easily. You can also add alarms to Jet Skis which, if advertised clearly, can deter a thief.”

Police also encourage owners to record all serial numbers and take photographs of their machines so they can be easily identified if recovered by the police.

Anyone with information about marine offences, including the theft of Jet Ski’s should contact the Marine Unit on 949-7710 or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS). All persons calling Crime Stoppers remain anonymous, and are eligible for a reward of up to $1000, should their information lead to an arrest or recovery of property/drugs.

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  1. Richard Wadd says:

     Dear ‘Publish the Pictures’,

    While most of your commentry was valid, it is distastful and unnecessary to bring Race into any of it.

    There are more ‘Rich kids’ of various ethnic backgrounds here than just those of a caucasion background, and REGARDLESS of one’s race, Theft does not discriminate.

    Caymanians are a people of MANY varid backgrounds, and we do not appreciate such commentry.

    Please keep the Racial comments to yourself when making your contribution in future.

     

  2. Annoymous says:

    Publish the pictures of these theives so the public can be on the lookout for them.

    We know every year when Jet Around Cayman comes up jet skies become a hot commodity.  The thieves steal them and strip them to sell for parts to some of those competing.  This happens every year so why now this year we are hightlighting?  I can only wonder that a few of them rich white boys got theirs stolen so that is why they are bringing it up.  This is stale news, it happens every year when the two jet ski events come up.

    PUblish the pictures ofthese culprits so we all know who they are for the future.

    Time to expose all those criminals who commit acts, and make it a public record.

  3. Piracy says:

    I blame the name of Pirates Week for this.  Poor boys have been led astray by it.

  4. anonymous says:

    I wonder if McKeeva is paying any attention to the amount of crime taking place in the District of West Bay…..or is he too busy with the ‘bigger’ things….those that will provide ‘personal benefits’.

  5. Anonymous says:

    I saw 2 abandoned and scrapped jet skis in the northwest point area. There is a drivable path that leads out to the limestone just before the new dive building on NWP. When you go in there, there was 1 jet to the left and the other to the right. 

     

  6. Anonymous says:

    Richard.  My I call you Dick?

    Dick, I think you should take your idea one step further and use the CAT-o-NINE tails on some of these lazy, crazy cops as well.  Maybe that would motivate them to do their jobs a little better.

  7. Anonymous says:

    And with summer coming and nothing for these kids to do, this type of activity is gonna get worse, why doesnt the government fund a youth program for summer holidays and afterschool!!

  8. Anonymous says:

    I suggest that every Saturday afternoon, there is a public "naming & shaming" in the town center. Anyone who feels can attend and throw a couple of rotten eggs at those thieves and burglars. Afterwards, they get whipped on their bare asses to the cheers of the public, followed by the usual punishment of jail or whatever……

  9. Anonymous says:

    Are they Caymanian? Are they UDP or PPM?

  10. Anonymous says:

    They all know who to steal from, tell them to come by my house and my dogs will have them for lunch or dinner..  Get a well trained dog(s) and put them near by to protect your property.

  11. Richard Wadd says:

     Yet another case for the ‘CAT-o-NINE’ to address.

    I have had my PWC stolen from my home, and was only able to recover the unit through my ‘underground network’ of contacts.

    The Police quite proudly informed me that they have a "less than 50% recovery rate …. in this small island !

    There are KNOWN culprits all around this island who the Police do nothing about even though they (the Police) are aware of them. I recovered mine from one of them, and the Police ???

    The point in all of this, GOOD JOB to the Police (this time), but PUNISHMENT is what deters crime.

    BRING BACK THE CAT-o-NINE …… WHIP their backsides !!

    THAT will bring crime under control.