Suspected yacht thief shot and killed by owner

Sept 8

Harbor Police located a small catamaran sailboat that was adrift near Harbor Island after its mast broke. Harbor Police towed the vessel back to its nearby slip.

Harbor Police located an adrift small inflatable dinghy near the Shelter Island launch ramp. The vessel was towed and stored at the Harbor Police impound dock.

Sept 7

The Harbor Police dive unit was assisting with an investigation and conducted a search for evidence near a beach within the Shelter Island Basin.

Sept 6

Harbor Police responded to the Sunroad Marina to investigate damage done to a vessel. The reporting party and owner of the vessel claimed a recently fired employee sabotaged his vessel causing approximately $1000 in damages. Harbor Police documented the incident.

Harbor Police issued a citation to a boater who was using the Harbor Police guest slips without a valid permit.

Sept 4

Harbor Police and National City Police responded to Pier 32 National City for a shooting aboard a vessel. A subject untied a large motor yacht, set it adrift and was attempting to start and steal the vessel. The owner, who was asleep in the master suite awoke and confronted the suspect. During a physical altercation, the suspect was shot and killed by the owner. National City Detectives are conducting the investigation with Harbor Police assistance.

Sept 3

Harbor Police investigated a crime where a suspect boarded a vessel while it was in its slip at the Southwestern Yacht Club. Several computer items were taken.

Harbor Police responded to the 32nd Street Naval Base for a vessel in distress. Harbor Police found a small power vessel that was having engine difficulties and had drifted against the security barrier fence. Harbor Police towed the vessel away from the fence line and called for Tow Boat US to respond.

Harbor Police responded to the docks of a Hornblower Bay Cruise ship due to a physical altercation between two subjects. Upon arrival, one subject had left the area and the other was being treated by an onboard nurse for some facial cuts. Harbor Police documented the incident.

Sept 2

Harbor Police responded to Humphrey’s Marina for a disturbance aboard a vessel. The owner of the vessel called due to a subject he had a restraining order against who boarded his vessel and was being verbally abusive. The suspect, who was gone upon our arrival, had also taken some items form the vessel. The following day the suspect was found back inside the vessel sleeping. Harbor Police responded and took the subject into custody.

Harbor Police worked a joint mission with the US Coast Guard targeting illegal charters in San Diego Bay. A large yacht suspected of illegal charters was boarded and found to be in violation. The vessel’s trip was terminated and was forced to return to its slip. US Coast Guard and Harbor Police are continuing the investigation and the US Coast Guard is in the process of charging several federal crimes and assessing civil penalties.

Sept 1

Harbor Police investigated a power vessel that was stolen from the Harbor Police guest slips. It was found that it was a civil issue between the owner and another subject who was buying the vessel.

Aug 30

Harbor Police assisted the operator of a broken-down ski as they were drifting towards the rocks at Seaport Village. Harbor Police towed the ski away from the rocks and called for the company to come and get the ski. Harbor Police transported the subject back to the rental company.

Harbor Police issued a citation to a subject who was at the Harbor Police guest slips without a valid permit.

Harbor Police responded to the east end of Harbor Island for a vehicle in the water. The vehicle was traveling too fast and could not make the sharp corner at the end of the island. It struck a curb, causing it to lose control and roll down the rip rap rock into the water. The subject was not seriously injured.

Harbor Police investigated a dinghy that was stolen from the San Diego Yacht Club.

Aug 29

Harbor Police stopped a jet ski operator for travelling too fast in a no-wake area. While issuing the subject a citation, it was found he also had an active warrant for his arrest. He was taken into custody.

Harbor Police were on patrol in the A-3 Anchorage when they observed a subject in the water and holding on to a dinghy which was still attached to a sailboat. It was found the subject lost his balance when pulling the starter rope for his dinghy motor. He fell into the water and was unable to get back in the dinghy due to a recent shoulder surgery. Harbor Police assisted him back onto his vessel.

Aug 26

Harbor Police responded to a vessel accident at the Midway Museum where the operator of a sailboat drove his vessel underneath the bow of the ship. The mast of the sailboat struck the underside of the Midway’s bow, breaking the mast off at the base. Damage to the sailboat is around $50,000. The Midway sustained scratches in its paint.

Harbor Police responded to a subject swimming towards the main shipping channel near the A-3 Laurel Street Anchorage. As Harbor Police contacted the fully-dressed subject, he stated he was swimming to a friend’s house and then to Mexico. Harbor Police assisted the subject out of the water and soon transported him to a mental health facility.