Thefts from Boats in Alton?

[Just Sold]

I saw a posting on Craigslist requesting info and a reward because someone had broken into about 20 boats in Alton Bay including at Parker Marine on 9/5. I tried to see if the Citizen had something but I did not find any more info on this. Anyone hear about this?
I feel so sorry for anyone who had something stolen from their boat.

[LakeSnake]

I had not heard about this but I did see the Marine Patrol had a SUV there Monday morning and the marina staff was checking boats.

[Lakesrider]

Yeah and if they catch him/her/them keel hauling comes to mind. and I think there would be any number of volunteers to pilot the boat.

Theft off a boat....Is there a different punishment on that? Maritime law used to be different didn't it?

[LIforrelaxin]

The bottom line is this, lock up anything that is valuable. Thieves are getting smarter, they realize that while cars and home now how alarms most boats don't.... Unfortunately most marina's are noted gated around the lake, and this provides easy access... Radios, GPS units, etc etc, even when mounted into the console are easy targets, especially if the thieves are familiar with boats, and the cabin entry is unlocked to get to the access panels....

Although we would all like to think things are safe, there really just is no safe place anymore.... especially in a tourist destination like the lake... The only reason I haven't taken further precautions with my boat, is that I have neighbors that are at the lake all the time... But I foresee the day where I will decide to but a cable and lock to secure the boat to the dock, and the jet ski to the dock....

I would recomend to anyone putting electronics into a boat, that they make it removable, so that it can be unmounted and taken off of the boat when not in use, especially if you keep your boat at a Marina...

To all the Marina, and Yacht clubs on the lake, it is time to put entry gates in... I am surprised this isn't a more wide spread occurrence...

As for punishment, well I have often been accused of being a bit to cruel in my views... an eye for an eye, and petty thieves should have their hands..... well never mind.......

[Jeanzb1]

There was also an article in this morning's paper about kayaks being stolen from Alton. YIKES!

[pops]

I don't know if it is related or not but Monday morning the A.P.D. were talking to one of the vendors at the craft fair. I think they had somthing stolen out of their tent overnight. When I came to work Sunday morning it looked like someone tried to get in my back door. We have had problems in the past and I have resorted to putting construction fabric on my windows. Letting the bayrats that hangout across the street know that I will deal with them and not the police{ if I find out they did anything to my property} has been the best deterent though.

Pops

[BroadHopper]

My marina is gated. You need a combination to get on the docks. It doesn't prevent folks from entering by water or air for that matter.

It was on the news somewhere that an owner of a stolen kayak found his kayak on Craigslist. Another owner found his kayak at a pawn shop in Tilton.

[riverat]

A couple of my friends had their boats broken into at parkers, fire extinguishes were discharged all over the boats and dumped into the river. Looks like kids vandalism, nothing taken from their boats other than the extinguishes. I heard atleast 10 boats in the river were tampered with and 2 camps on the river broken into. Marine Patrol and Alton PD were on the scene.
Since "Joe" passed there has not been a security guard that I am aware of, although I was told there is survielance cameras.

[eyenotall777]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

My marina is gated. You need a combination to get on the docks. It doesn't prevent folks from entering by water or air for that matter.

It was on the news somewhere that an owner of a stolen kayak found his kayak on Craigslist. Another owner found his kayak at a pawn shop in Tilton.

Broadhopper-
I had also heard that someone found theirs at a pawn shop in Tilton as well. Was this on the actual news station?

[Jeanzb1]

It was in yesterday's edition of either the Manchester Union Leader or yesterday's Laconia Daily Sun.

[RI Swamp Yankee]

You can download yesterdays edition of the Laconia Daily Sun here:
ftp://www.laconiadailysun.com/Laconiapdf/2010/9/7L.pdf

The only mention of a Kayak was a letter to the editor

1 stolen kayak has been recovered, we’ve got two more to go

To the editor,
Thanks to the power of print I recovered
my neighbors kayak that was
stolen from Alton at the end of July and
would like to thank the honest woman
who turned it in to the Tilton police.
I have found out that both of my
stolen kayaks were bought by one
person at Fast Cash in Tilton. One
of the kayaks was a Red Wilderness
Pungo, 9-ft with evidence of stickers
if they are not still on it. The other is
a Heritage Featherlight peach orange
color. 9-ft. If you purchased these
boats please contact the Tilton police
department or Detective McDoogle of
the Alton P.D. I appreciate your honesty
in advance, and thank-you.
D. Jordan
Alton

[eyenotall777]

Originally Posted by Jeanzb1

There was also an article in this morning's paper about kayaks being stolen from Alton. YIKES!

Can you let us know what newspaper this was in? We also had kayaks stolen and would like to see the article.

[Captn'J]

The same thing happened at Laekport Landing this past weekend as well. There were ~8-10 boats that were trashed and even one that was cast adrift!

What's happening?

[gravy boat]

Trail cam.... Video option.
Cabelas.com

criminals are daredevils...good lighting does not deter most

gb

[Bear Island South]

we had a similiar situation back in June, fortunately I don't leave anything worth value on the boat. They did however untie and leave the lines wrapped around the posts and the canvas was left unzipped.

[SAMIAM]

We store our boat trailer in a storage facility in Cape Coral, Fla......it is about 20 acres, with an 8' fence topped with barbed wire and it is used mostly for boats and RV's. At night it is not even lighted because the owners release a pack of dobermans that roam until dawn. They've never had a problem with theft.

[Lakesrider]

I have been trying to Quayside YC to put in a web cam for years. At least we could see who was out and about....

[Summersled]

Originally Posted by Captn'J

The same thing happened at Laekport Landing this past weekend as well. There were ~8-10 boats that were trashed and even one that was cast adrift!

What's happening?

Do you happen to know what the name of the boat that was cast a drift? Our boat, we think, was taken for a ride or something that weekend. When we got to the marina to go for a boat ride, my husband and I noticed that the ropes were different and there were several, 12, deep scratches in the fiberglass that wasn't there before.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by wendyandy

Do you happen to know what the name of the boat that was cast a drift? Our boat, we think, was taken for a ride or something that weekend. When we got to the marina to go for a boat ride, my husband and I noticed that the ropes were different and there were several, 12, deep scratches in the fiberglass that wasn't there before.

Was there any indication that the ignition switch had been tampered with? Believe it or not this is something that could be important... if the ignition looked like it had been tampered with, it indicates that the joy riders knew something about the electrical system of a boat.... If the ignition wasn't tampered and it could be proven that someone took your boat out, then the story could be different like they understood that there are only so many ignition key for a certain make and model, and if you have the right one your in business..... In either case this could be profile build material that could help the police.

Now with that said, you will need more the a couple of scratches and the fact that you believe your boat was tampered with to build a case for your boat being involved in all this at this point in the game. However if you truly believe it was you need to talk to the authorities as soon as possible.

[Captn'J]

Originally Posted by wendyandy

Do you happen to know what the name of the boat that was cast a drift? Our boat, we think, was taken for a ride or something that weekend. When we got to the marina to go for a boat ride, my husband and I noticed that the ropes were different and there were several, 12, deep scratches in the fiberglass that wasn't there before.

Apologies - I do not know the name of the boat; however it is located on "B" dock near the end on the right-hand side.

[Summersled]

Originally Posted by Captn'J

Apologies - I do not know the name of the boat; however it is located on "B" dock near the end on the right-hand side.

That is where our boat is located.

[Summersled]

Originally Posted by Captn'J

The same thing happened at Laekport Landing this past weekend as well. There were ~8-10 boats that were trashed and even one that was cast adrift!

What's happening?

Do you happen to remember the name of the boat that was cast a drift?

[green horn]

Why didnt the Parker Marina owners report damages to the owners of the boats where they park your boat? THey shoved it under the rug like every thing is ok and mislead investigators .How about the chemicals that were in the water from the fire extinguishers that was shot off all over platform boats ?How about the peoples personal property? Dont tell people that dock their boats that there is survelleince when the only servallience is for their new boats up front not the ones out back. Its unfortunate that today one week after the devestation on Labor Day people were coming to there boat to find destruction because the owners at Parker Marina never took the time to call them. That is a disgrace!

[Argie's Wife]

Green Horn - that's quite a first post... were you one of the victims of theft or vandalism to your boat?

If so, I am sorry that happened to you. Alton is a great little town but it's no Mayberry RFD... we have our share of crime here, too. Unfortunately.

Welcome to the forum.

[Sunrise Point]

Our very good friends here on Winnisquam purchased one of the stolen kayaks from the pawn shop in Tilton. They are also faithful readers of the La Da Sun and when they saw the original letter from D. Jordan, they contacted the police and told them that they might have one of the kayaks.

The kayak is currently in the evidence room of the Tilton Police and my friends were told that it would remain there until the thief was caught and brought to trial. So one of the kayaks has been "recovered" but won't be returned to the owners until after the trial (assuming that they catch the thief).

Hopefully, the pawn shop will do the right thing and return the $$ that our friends paid for the kayak.

[eyenotall777]

Originally Posted by Sunrise Point

Our very good friends here on Winnisquam purchased one of the stolen kayaks from the pawn shop in Tilton. They are also faithful readers of the La Da Sun and when they saw the original letter from D. Jordan, they contacted the police and told them that they might have one of the kayaks.

The kayak is currently in the evidence room of the Tilton Police and my friends were told that it would remain there until the thief was caught and brought to trial. So one of the kayaks has been "recovered" but won't be returned to the owners until after the trial (assuming that they catch the thief).

Hopefully, the pawn shop will do the right thing and return the $$ that our friends paid for the kayak.

SP-
We also had 2 kayaks stolen from us from the same lake as D.Jordan. I was able to track them down and they provided me w/ some useful info. The pawn shop not so much. Would you be able to ask your very honest friends if they recall a Critter green kayak w/the word demo or a red Victory kayak w/ a black" V"
Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[RI Swamp Yankee]

Aren't Pawn Shops required to record the transaction and verify the ID of people that pawn items in NH? I believe it is required here in RI.

[eyenotall777]

Yes they are required, but the way they get around it is to have the person that comes in show their ID and sign stating they are there to pawn. They even told me if had the name of the person they would tell me what they brought in...but in this case I dont have the theifs name.

[Slickcraft]

In today's paper:

Marine Patrol investigating night of
boat break-ins at foot of Alton Bay
ALTON — Authorities are investigating
an apparent evening of mischief
that occurred in Alton Bay over
Labor Day weekend.
Marine Patrol Sergeant Eric Robertson
said as many as 20 boats were
broken into during the night hours of
Saturday, September 4. He said most
of the boats were at Parker Marine,
though some boats at nearby private
docks were also targeted. Robertson
said his agency is cooperating with
Alton Police to investigate the incidents.
The individuals who broke into the
boats were apparently in search of
something to steal, Robertson said.
Boat by boat, the prospective thieves
unfastened enough of the boat covers
to slip inside the cabin. “People entered
boats, went through glove compartments,
looking for valuables,” he said.
So far, no items of value were reported
stolen, Robertson said. In a couple of
cases, the disappointed thieves discharged
fi re extinguishers into the water and left empy beer cans in their
wake. “Very random, it seems almost
juvenile,” Robertson said about the incident.
Although nothing as yet appears
to be stolen, he said the ill actors could
be charged with criminal mischief.
The marina sits at the mouth of
the Merrymeeting River as it enters
Alton Bay, and boats on both sides of
the river were entered. The circumstances
suggest that the perpetrators
may have used a boat for the break-in
spree, which is why Marine Patrol is
involved in the investigation.
Because many of the victims are outof-
state residents who were visiting
for the weekend, Robertson said offi -
cers are still interviewing witnesses
and the owners of the boats. He asked
anyone who knows something about
the break-ins to call Marine Patrol at
293-2037 or Alton Police at 875-0757.
“If anyone has any information they
can call either one of us,” he said.
— Adam Drapcho

[RI Swamp Yankee]

Another letter to the editor in today's Laconia Daily Sun.

It would seem that the pawn phop received stolen property and should reimburse the buyer.

Kind women who bought & then returned stolen kayak is victim, too

To the editor,
As the victim of one of the recent stolen
kayaks in the Alton are, I wish to thank
D. Jordan for her relentless efforts to
recover our stolen property. I would also
like to express my heartfelt appreciation
to the very kind woman who came forth
and turned the kayak in. It hurts me to
know that she is also a victim, as she
cannot get her money back until the long
process of arrest, prosecution and restitution
are completed.
Unfortunately, because of the character
of the thief, restitution will most
likely be a long time coming. The
person or people responsible for these
thefts probably has a long criminal
history and owes many victims. I hope
he, she or they are soon caught and
that justice is served.
My neighbors and myself are all
hard working people, most of us are
just blue collar folks who enjoy kayaking
on the beautiful lakes of New
Hampshire. We don’t go on expensive
vacations and instead have invested
our money buying kayaks for our
entertainment. It is such a shame
that such uncaring, insensitive people
can take away objects that bring joy to
our children and families.
Again, thanks to those who recovered
our kayak and I hope the others
are soon found.
Barbara & John Tuttle
Alton

[win-a-pea-socky]

I can't believe the Pawn shop won't give that kind women her money back. I guess that's what you get for being honest. even though they didnt know it was stolen when they sold it they shouldnt stick it to an innocent buyer. everyone should keep this in mind and think twice about doing business with the Tilton Pawn shop on route 3 because you might just get it stuck to you too

[trfour]

Originally Posted by win-a-pea-socky

I can't believe the Pawn shop won't give that kind women her money back. I guess that's what you get for being honest. even though they didnt know it was stolen when they sold it they shouldnt stick it to an innocent buyer. everyone should keep this in mind and think twice about doing business with the Tilton Pawn shop on route 3 because you might just get it stuck to you too

Or Any Pawn Shop!
Are you Daft?...

[Sunrise Point]

The pawn shop owner will not refund my friend's money because he claims that the police told him that he didn't have to. This might be legally correct, but from a moral and business standpoint, wrong, wrong, wrong.

I guess anyone considering buying anything from a pawn shop should take a "stolen until proven otherwise" attitude about the merchandise and ask themselves if they want to be "robbed" of the purchase price and the item purchased, should it turn out to have been stolen property.

I think that the Tilton pawnshop made a very poor decision in not refunding my friend's money.

[VitaBene]

I'd be willing to bet that this was not the thief's first transaction with this pawn shop. In that business, you must get a pretty quick line on people to survive and this shop must have their "stinkmeter" turned way down.

[jrc]

The person who bought the stolen kayaks from the pawn shop can sue the pawn shop. It might not be worth the trouble, but it is an option.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Sunrise Point

The pawn shop owner will not refund my friend's money because he claims that the police told him that he didn't have to. This might be legally correct, but from a moral and business standpoint, wrong, wrong, wrong.

I guess anyone considering buying anything from a pawn shop should take a "stolen until proven otherwise" attitude about the merchandise and ask themselves if they want to be "robbed" of the purchase price and the item purchased, should it turn out to have been stolen property.

I think that the Tilton pawnshop made a very poor decision in not refunding my friend's money.

Isn't there a law that you or I could be arrested for, being in possesion of stolen property or something like that? What makes a pawn shop any different? Skip?

[Lakepilot]

You would have to know the property was stolen. If you buy property, not knowing it was stolen, you've done nothing wrong. I guess it gets a bit fuzzy if you buy a Rolex from someone on the street at 1/10th it's real value. Google scienter.

[ishoot308]

I may be incorrect here, but I believe that anyone who purchases stolen property knowingly or not, is still considered in possesion of stolen property and this is quite against the law.

I believe the pawn shop has the responsibility to ensure what they are buying is not stolen. If they decide to buy an item without doing their proper due diligence, they are still responsible.

Dan

[jrc]

Even if the police believes the pawn shop violated the law cited below, they have to prove it in a court. The DA might not feel it's worth the headache or that the case is unwin-able. This is a criminal case and must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The person buying from the pawn shop has a strong civil case against them, regardless of the criminal case.

637:7 Receiving Stolen Property. –
I. A person commits theft if he receives, retains, or disposes of the property of another knowing that it has been stolen, or believing that it has probably been stolen, with a purpose to deprive the owner thereof.
II. The knowledge or belief required for paragraph I is presumed in the case of a dealer who:
(a) Is found in possession or control of property stolen from 2 or more persons on separate occasions; or
(b) Has received other stolen property within the year preceding the receiving charged; or
(c) Being a dealer in property of the sort received, retained or disposed, acquires it for a consideration which he knows is far below its reasonable value, or
(d) Purchases property from a law enforcement officer working in an undercover capacity, or an agent of such law enforcement officer, where such property has been explicitly represented as stolen.
III. As used in this section, ""receives'' means acquiring possession, control or title or lending on the security of the property; and ""dealer'' means a person in the business of buying or selling goods

[RailroadJoe]

I bought a cast iron bank at an auction in Concord years ago for my son. Two weeks later the auctioneer notified me that it was stolen and had to report that I bought it from him at auction. I retrieved the bank from my son and turned it over to the Concord police. No money ever came my way. The auctioneer didn't offer to reimburse me.

It's called "let the buyer beware!".