Boater busts theives online; earns reward

BOATING — Peter Hunt of Oak Harbor, Wash., didn’t go ballistic when he discovered his boat had been targeted by burglars. He went to the Internet, where he found the thieves selling the stolen items taken during a rash of boat burglaries – including his own chartplotter – on eBay.

Recently, he brought his internet investigation to the attention of authorities, who were able to arrest and convict an adult and two teenagers. More than $50,000 in stolen electronic equipment was recovered, including about  90 percent of the goods stolen at the Oak Harbor marina where Hunt moors his boat.

For his effort in breaking the crime ring – which had burglarized three marinas on North Whidbey Island as well as 30 cars - Boat Owners Association of The United States just announced paying Hunt $2,500 from its Theft Reward Program .

Check this out: the top three items stolen from boats over the winter .