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Victoria police report rash of thefts of boats, engines

Victoria police say they are investigating “a concerning trend” of marine-related thefts in July and early August. There have been 14 thefts in Victoria and Esquimalt since mid-July targeting boats, kayaks and engines, police said.
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Victoria police have released an image of a suspect in the theft of a Zodiac from the Victoria International Marina. VIA VICTORIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

Victoria police say they are investigating “a concerning trend” of marine-related thefts in July and early August.

There have been 14 thefts in Victoria and Esquimalt since mid-July targeting boats, kayaks and engines, police said.

In one case on July 29, a 25-foot Zodiac was taken from the Victoria International Marina on Cooperage Place. The vessel, which has two new Yamaha 175-horsepower engines and is valued at more than $100,000, turned up later that day near Slack Point in Ladysmith.

A surveillance photograph of a suspect shows a white man about five-foot-six and 140 pounds wearing a red hoodie and carrying a yellow shoulder bag. He was last seen in Ladysmith on a blue mountain bike he unloaded from the boat.

Police ask anyone with information to call them at 250-995-7654 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

jbell@timescolonist.com