Men stripping boat interrupted by deputy

A deputy interrupted a group of men stripping a boat of its engine and electronics after an alert neighbor reported suspicious activity on Ramrod Key early last Friday.

Just after midnight, Deputy John Gabay responded to St. Vincent Lane to check on a report that a boat was being stripped. When he arrived, he saw a truck with a boat on a trailer; it was backed in at a house on the street. Three or four men were on and around the boat. When they realized a deputy had arrived, they fled, jumping into a canal behind the house.

Further investigation revealed wires had been cut to the engine and the electronics had been removed from the center console. The owner, who was from Glades County, was staying at the Big Pine Fishing Lodge. He had left his boat tied up at the dock and was unaware it was missing.

A search of the area failed to turn up any of the suspects, but the truck and trailer left at the scene were seized. The investigation into the incident continues.