Thieves steal almost $10,000 of equipment from sailboat in St. Johns County after Hurricane Matthew

Police said thieves on a boat stole more than $9,000 of items from a racing sailboat in St. Johns County.

The racing sailboat was docked at Amity Marina when it was burglarized.

Police said the burglars didn't get to the boat on foot, because the dock it was moored to was damaged by Hurricane Matthew.

Don Samson, owner of the boat shop at another marina in town, said he’s heard of this happening before at the marina where he works.

“Years ago they came up by boat and stole sails they'll come and take sails off a sail boat they're $5,000 to $6,000 a piece,” Samson said.

Police said in this most recent case, sails and equipment worth $9,700 were missing.

Samson said there are ways to hinder thieves.

“Lighting is always the best. They won't go in if there's light,” Samson said.

Boat owners can also add security to their boat using cameras, especially if expensive items are on board.

“My neighbor has three cameras on the outside and he can sit and watch his boat from his office out of state,” Samson said.

The man whose boat was burglarized told Action News Jax the thieves haven’t been caught.

Cox Media Group