Outboard Motor Stolen Off Valley Boat

A thief has stolen four boat motors in recent weeks, and may be reselling them to unsuspecting buyers, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Department said.

Two of the four outboard engines were taken from the Valley. They include a $1,500 9.8-horsepower Mercury outboard stolen from a boat parked at a home on East Sunview Circle and a $100 MinnKota trolling motor that disappeared from a home on East Valleyway.

A $1,000 10-horsepower Sears Gamefisher outboard and a $600 9-horsepower Mercury trolling motor were stolen from the West Plains area.

The Sheriff’s Department advised boat owners to take security measures when storing their outboard engines for the winter. They should record the engine’s serial number in a safe place, and engrave their driver’s license number into the surface of the lower unit. This will increase the chance they will recover the motor. It may also prevent a theft.

People planning to buy a used boat motor should be wary of unusual bargains at yard sales, in classified advertisements and elsewhere. It’s smart to write down the motor’s serial number and check it with police before buying, Sheriff’s officials said.

, DataTimes