Boat thieves left high and dry

Thieves who allegedly attempted to steal a boat from a Port Kennedy property last week were stopped in their tracks, when the vehicle they were driving crashed along a Naval Base road.

The boat was allegedly stolen in the early hours of the morning of Wednesday, December 2, before it was discovered crashed and abandoned near the corner of Rockingham Road and Hope Valley Road.

Owner Steve Hebble said he only noticed his boat — a Penguin half-cabin cruiser — was missing after seeing reports on Facebook.

“It was about 7am when I saw pictures of it on Facebook,” Mr Hebble said.

“Initially I thought someone was taking the mickey out of me and had photoshopped my boat on to the picture, but then I realised it was mine.

“It’s the only time I haven’t put my trailer lock on too.”

Mr Hebble said the car that was towing the boat — believed to be a red commodore — appeared to be involved in an accident causing “considerable damage” to the boat and car.

He said the police had taken the boat, trailer and car for forensic testing.

Another resident, Rachel Lovelady, also reported her boat stolen by “four men in a red commodore” from Koolan Way in Secret Harbour about 5am the same morning.

Ms Lovelady told the Telegraph she received a knock on the door from a neighbour who said her husband’s boat was “blocking the road”.

“My husband had taken the pins out so as they went over the speed bump on Lombadina Parade the boat disconnected from the tow bar, which is when they abandoned it,” she said.

“They would have only got less than 100m before the trailer left the tow ball.”

Rockingham Police acting officer in charge Gavin Lang said police were still investigating the thefts.