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Thieves target Sea Scouts for second time, scuppering sailing program

For the second time in less than a year, thieves have ripped off a troop of Sea Scouts, stealing four outboard motors and the last of their three rigid hull inflatable boats from a fenced compound at Gyro Park.

For the second time in less than a year, thieves have ripped off a troop of Sea Scouts, stealing four outboard motors and the last of their three rigid hull inflatable boats from a fenced compound at Gyro Park.

The first two boats were reported stolen from the same compound last September.

“Everybody’s really disappointed; I think that’s the overwhelming emotion,” said Theo Underwood, commissioner of the 12th Garry Oak Sea Scouts.

“All the things you think are good in the world are Scouts and these kinds of programs. So for people to come and knock us off and then not feel any remorse about it … This is the kind of thing [where] I expect somebody to turn them in two weeks later, not come back five months later and finish the job.”

Underwood said the latest theft effectively scuppers the group’s sailing program, because sailboats are only allowed on the water if a motorized inflatable is nearby for safety reasons.

“So we can’t really do much of the Sea Scouting,” he said. “The kids can get on the kayaks and just kind of paddle parallel to the shore at Cadboro Bay and that’s it.

“But the sailing program is basically just not happening this year as of now, because I think it will take us a while to replace all this stuff.”

The group generally has about 50 Scouts, Cubs and Beavers ranging in age from five to 14, although the Beavers ­program has been put on hold this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the requirements for physical distancing.

Saanich police say the theft is believed to have happened either April 19 or 20. The thief or thieves broke into the fenced compound and stole four small outboard motors worth about $11,700 and an 11.5-foot rigid hull inflatable boat worth $3,500.

The missing motors include a 1996 Honda 8HP; a silver 2003 Honda 15HP; a black 2010 Suzuki 9.9 HP and a 2013 black Suzuki 9.9HP.

“We are asking the public not only for information on the theft, but also to be mindful when purchasing used items such as motors,” Const. Markus Anastasiades said in a statement. “Be wary of outboards that have been repainted, cosmetically altered, or have a tampered or missing serial number.”

He noted that consumers can do an online search through the Canadian Police Information Centre to see if a motor has been reported stolen.

Saanich police are still investigating the theft of two boats from the same location last ­September, but have yet to ­identify any suspects.

Underwood said the equipment was insured, but the group will be on the hook for their deductible as well as the cost of beefing up security at the compound.

“We’re Scouts,” he said. “We’ll do whatever it takes, right? So we’ll keep going and make sure we have fun outside meetings for the kids. And they’ll have some fundraising to do, I guess.”