Man arrested 3 times after allegedly stealing boats around western WA, released after each arrest

A man was arrested three times in connection with stolen boats last month and was subsequently released from jail after each arrest, Everett police said Thursday.

First arrest at Port of Everett Marina

The first incident occurred Oct. 14 at the Port of Everett Marina, where police investigated a trespassing report after port security spotted a suspicious person aboard a boat at the docks.

“He was recognized as a male who had been previously trespassed from the property when he was arrested in connection with a string of felonious thefts in 2025,” the Everett Police Department (EPD) stated in a Facebook post Thursday. “He was ultimately sentenced and incarcerated for these thefts and had since been released.”

Police said the man was in possession of an “unreported stolen boat” on Oct. 14. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officers also responded after several stolen crab pots were found on the vessel.

“The man was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for Criminal Trespass 2 and Possession of Stolen Property 1,” the post stated. “The crab pots and vessel were returned to their owners.”

The man was released from jail the next day.

Stolen vessels reported in Island County and Des Moines

Four days later, officers in Island County saw a man pulling a crab pot from the water and tossing crab overboard. He was the same suspect arrested Oct. 14.

He was arrested again and booked into jail “for a myriad of fishing violations in addition to possession of a stolen vessel. The vessel was returned to the owner, but the male was again released the following day,” the post stated.

On Oct. 26, authorities learned the same man was staying aboard a stolen vessel at the Des Moines Marina guest dock, according to the EPD.

The next day, he was spotted at the Everett Marina and arrested.

He was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for theft in the first degree and criminal trespass in the second degree.

On Nov. 4, the man was released from jail for the third time.

Everett police share boat theft prevention tips

The string of thefts prompted authorities to warn boat owners to keep an eye on their vessels.

“As winter approaches, make sure to routinely visit and check on your stored boat,” the post stated. “Please take home valuables, including electronics and fishing gear. If choosing not to take items home, please ensure valuable items are not easily visible or accessed. Utilize locks, like fish finder locks, to secure valuable electronics.”

Police also recommended photographing and documenting the make, model, and serial numbers of any valuables left on board.

“A unique identifier could be specific damage or an owner-applied marking,” the post added. “If choosing to apply your own marking, please ensure the marking is etched into your item and not simply marked with a permanent marker, as this can be easily removed. By recording unique identifiers, your stolen items can be easily recognized as yours by law enforcement if later recovered.”

Police advised boaters to remove kicker/trolling motors and store them off the vessel because they are often stolen.

Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.

Follow @FrankLenziKIRO