Indiana man arrested for stealing yacht from New Buffalo Marina

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. – An Indiana man has been arrested for allegedly taking a yacht from the New Buffalo Marina without the owner’s permission, New Buffalo Police Department said.

The man has been identified as a 37-year-old from Syracuse, Ind. and is being held at the Berrien County Jail for initial charges of Possession of Stolen Property, according to officers.

According to the report, a maintenance employee was servicing the vessel on Thursday when the Syracuse man allegedly impersonating a relative of the owner of the vessel. The suspect was able to get on board of the boat and powered off, officers said.

On Friday, the owners arrived at the marina and their boat was missing. Police were contacted and officers quickly identified the suspect. The boat was entered into the National Crime Information Center and the US Coast Guard was also contacted.

On Saturday, Michigan State Police were notified that the missing vessel was seen adrift near the Bridgeman, Lake Township border.

Michigan State Police and the Bridgman Police Department took the suspect into custody when he came ashore. He was also taken to the New Buffalo Police Department for questioning, according to the report.

The boat was then towed to the marina in St. Joseph, Mich. to have damage addressed and be processed for evidence.

According to the New Buffalo Police Department, the suspect was allegedly tied to a string of thefts within the area on Thursday. However, these crimes are under investigation, according to officers.