FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Authorities in Broward County are investigating a pair of personal watercraft thefts that occurred just a few hours apart.
According to Fort Lauderdale police, the crimes occurred on Saturday, March 4, in Fort Lauderdale.
The first one happened at 2800 Yacht Club Blvd. at approximately 3:45 p.m. while the second occurred at 2670 E. Sunrise Blvd., police said.
Police said they have identified a group of suspects that perpetrated both crimes.
A Fort Lauderdale police marine unit spotted one of the suspects on a stolen personal watercraft but the suspect tried to flee and ended up crashing into a dock, police said.
The second stolen vessel was found near the marina in Sunrise Bay, with officers saying it appeared the suspects intentionally sank the stolen property.
The owner of one of the vessels, Jon Rosen, is angry. He’s counting his losses at his personal watercraft rental business on the docks of the Gallery One Double Tree hotel on East Sunrise Boulevard.
“Two kids, looked like they were probably 18,” said Rosen. “Lotta guts with these two kids.”
Police said video footage showed the suspects arriving by boat to commit the thefts. In one piece of footage, three suspects commit the crime, while in the second video, two of the original three are observed.
It appears to be the same boat used in both crimes, the second coming across the street from Rosen’s business at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club, a members only private club.
Rosen said the ordeal cost him over $5,000, a bit hit for his small business.
“We’re losing business because we can’t rent that machine any longer,” he said. “We had to beef up security and surveillance, which is another cost as well.”
“We’re out here trying to show people a fun and safe experience, so the last thing we need is people trying to steal equipment,” he added.
The suspects are described as white men -- one with dark, “busy” hair, one with a medium build and brown, curly hair and the third with straight, brown hair.
Anyone with information is urged to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS or visit https://www.jetskifl.com/ to contact the business.
“We’re going to catch you,” Rosen said. “Everyone is going to see this. Your face is all over the camera.”