Seattle police arrested a man after he stole a 92-foot yacht and damaged several other vessels in South Lake Union, Washington.
Local media KOMO News reports that the thief crashed M/Y New Atlantic, listed as a 92-foot yacht, into a 70-foot Westport yacht, shattering windows and causing structural damage. Brokers reportedly estimate the total damage at about $400,000.
Police responded to a call around 4:30 a.m. on August 21 about a boat theft in Chandler’s Cove, according to the Seattle Police Department. The suspect started the boat and “proceeded to ram other vessels nearby as he attempted to turn the boat around.” Then he jumped into Lake Union where patrol officers were able to retrieve him from the water at around 4:45 a.m.
The man was booked into King County Jail once he was medically cleared from Harborview Medical Center. According to SPD, the alleged thief is 25-year-old Hagos Debalkew.
The property damage is still being assessed and detectives will handle the incident’s follow-up investigation.