Thieves steal propellers off Bainbridge Island police boat

By RICHARD D. OXLEY
Bainbridge Island Review Staff Writer
November 30, 2012 · 10:50 AM

Three stainless steel propellers were stolen off the Bainbridge Island Police Department's patrol boat.

The theft occurred sometime during the week before Nov. 26. Police have no suspects.

The total loss amounts to approximately $2,000, according to Interim Public Safety Director Larry Dickerson. But the crime amounts to more than just a financial loss.

"Basically when you disable an emergency vehicle like that it's Class B felony," Dickerson said.

"It's an emergency vehicle. If we had gotten an emergency call and hadn't noticed it yet, that wouldn't be good," he said.

The police department moors its boat at the Queens City Yacht Club, on the south shores of Eagle Harbor. It has three outboard motors that are raised out of the water when not in use, leaving the propellers exposed.

With the yacht club being a secure dock, Dickerson deduced that someone could likely have come from the water and made off with the propellers.

The police department is preparing a public notice regarding the crime, and is attempting to get the theft mentioned as the Crime Stoppers' "Crime of the Week."

Dickerson said the police department has spares for all three propellers.

Contact Bainbridge Island Review Staff Writer Richard D. Oxley at roxley@bainbridgereview.com or (206) 842-6613.

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