A high-end boat stolen more than two years ago in Alberta has been recovered by RCMP officers patrolling Okanagan Lake.
On Saturday, June 28, in or around 4 p.m., officers conducting a routine marine patrol spotted a vessel docking near the 200 block of Bernard Avenue in Kelowna. The boat matched the description of a 25-foot Super Air Nautique, valued at approximately $100,000, that had been reported stolen in May 2022.
Police initiated a stop near the marina and seized the vessel. It was later confirmed to be the same boat reported stolen over two years ago.
鈥淭his is a great example of how proactive policing and partnerships help return property to people, regardless of how much time has passed,鈥 said Cpl. Guillaume Tanguay of the RCMP鈥檚 proactive enforcement unit.
鈥淧olice received information from a partner agency that the boat might be on the water in Kelowna, and with a keen eye, officers were able to locate it and return it to its rightful owner with minimal damage.鈥
The lone individual operating the vessel was detained at the scene and later released. The investigation remains ongoing.
With boating season in full swing, RCMP officers say they will continue to maintain a strong presence on the water, ensuring public safety and checking for compliance with boating regulations and the Criminal Code.
Police are encouraging boat owners to record their vessel鈥檚 serial numbers, take photographs, and report any suspicious activity. These steps, they say, are vital in helping recover stolen property.