BC Police Caught A Real Life Pirate With A Stolen Yacht
Piracy is still alive and prospering it seems in the age of COVID-19. This B.C. pirate stole a yacht and managed to take it out for a joyride before police caught up. When they arrested him, he claimed to have novel coronavirus — he's now in custody.
The incident happened in Oak Bay, a small town near Victoria on Vancouver Island, B.C. on Monday morning, April 13. According to a tweet by their local police, a "prolific offender" stole a 54-foot yacht from the marina at 3:30 a.m.
Oak Bay PD told Narcity they later learned the pirate travelled to the yacht by canoe.
Police got the call around 4:10 a.m. and immediately phoned the coast guard. The commandeered yacht was spotted near the Oak Bay Hotel.
Police and coast guards took off and managed to board it. Inside, they confronted and arrested a 25-year-old male. Allegedly, they found a knife in his bed.
They say the man was "uncooperative" and that he claimed he had COVID-19. Police reminded him that novel coronavirus was a serious illness and that he'd made a serious claim, but he insisted.
So they took him to the hospital for testing. Afterwards, he was released into police custody; his COVID-19 test turned up negative.
Oak Bay PD say that the investigation is still in its early stages, and so the above details could change as they uncover more evidence.
Police say the man has an "extensive criminal history," but didn't give further details.
He'll be appearing in court for charges of theft over $5,000 and possession of stolen property over $5,000.
He'll also face charges of mischief over $5,000 due to damages he caused to the yacht and a breach of conditions as he's not allowed to carry a knife.
With the global pandemic, some offenders have weaponized COVID-19, coughing or spitting on police officers.
There have also been some who used the virus to threaten others; Calgary police reported that a Chinese restaurant and Indigenous Facebook group received threats, including promises to spread the virus onto reservations.
Police are responding to the new threats, noting that spitting on an officer is a serious assault regardless of the pandemic. They also arrested the person who threatened the Indigenous Facebook group.