Teens steal boat for Wawasee 'joy ride'

SYRACUSE, Ind. (WANE) – Two teens are facing theft charges in the Kosciusko County Probation Department after they stole a boat and took if for a joy ride on Lake Wawasee Friday night.

According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, while on boat patrol around 10:30 p.m., conservation officers saw a boat speeding about 30 mph across lake.

The DNR officer said he had his emergency lights activated for some time before the 14-year-old operator stopped the boat in the Enchanted Hills area.

The operator, along with the 13-year-old passenger, admitted to stealing the boat around 8 p.m. from the Enchanted Hills area to take it for a ‘joy ride’.

The officer said the boat appeared to be undamaged and the teens will answer to the probation department for their actions.

Indiana Conservation Officers want to remind boat owners that there are some helpful tips that if followed can lessen the likelihood of you having your boat or property stolen.

- Never leave the keys in or on your boat. If it is absolutely necessary to leave your key onboard the boat store it in a combination lock box and only give out the combination to trusted persons.

- Disconnect one or both battery terminal cables when finished with your outing. If your keys do fall in the wrong hands, a would-be thief may not think to check the battery if they try unsuccessfully to start it up.

There are other helpful hints to help protect your boat and property from theft such as:

- Insure your boat registration is up to date and properly displayed. This can help officers quickly locate a stolen boat through a BMV records check.

- Photograph your boat and property

- Permanently etch or engrave your name onto your property

- Record your property’s identifying information such as make, model, serial number, etc.

- Remember “out of sight, out of mind”, securely store your valuables out of plain view

- Purchase insurance if possible for your boat and property

‘Neighbors helping neighbors’ on the lake is also a good motto to live by. Stay aware and be vigilant of any suspicious activity or unfamiliar persons in or around your neighbors’ boats.

More helpful tips and information on how to protect your boat from theft can be found by visiting www.BoatSafe.com . To report a theft of your boat or to report suspicious activity call your Indiana Conservation Officers dispatch at 1.812.837.9536 or your local law enforcement agency.