BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

Police have busted a boat theft ring in Abaco, arresting several men who are known repeat offenders and suspected of stealing over a dozen vessels on that island.

According to a Tribune source, one man from Sandy Cay, two from Cherokee, and two others from Marsh Harbour were taken into police custody following investigations by a special task force.

Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour confirmed two weeks ago that several arrests had been made in Abaco of persons suspected of being involved in a boat theft ring.

He also revealed that a task force comprised of officers from Grand Bahama, Abaco and Bimini had been assembled to investigate the thefts.

The Tribune attempted to reach ACP Seymour for an update on whether the persons arrested have been charged. He did not respond up until press time on Friday.

The boat theft issue was brought into the spotlight by several concerned Abaco residents who felt that not enough was done by the police in Abaco to catch the perpetrators when the reports were initially made.

They feared the thefts would drive visiting boaters away and hurt the island’s tourism sector, and called for more action and urgent attention to the problem.

According to residents, about 17 boats were stolen in a six-week period. And although nearly all boats were recovered, the engines were missing.

Residents had threatened to take matters into their own hands if something was not done soon to stop the thefts. They said in their view not enough police resources are available to deal with patrolling Abaco and its many cays.