This 250hp boat motor was stolen by coordinated and enterprising thieves. (submitted/Nanaimo RCMP)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

black market

Boat motor theft season officially kicks off in Nanaimo

May 29, 2020 | 11:27 AM

NANAIMO — The theft of a large motor from an unattended boat marks the beginning of an unfortunate crime season.

A large 250hp outboard motor was stolen off a display boat in the M&P Mercury Sales lot on Stewart Ave. sometime between May 25 and 26.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW this is the first major boat motor theft of the year but it won’t be the last.

“There’s a black market for them. Often, we’ll do a search warrant on a house two months down the road and we’ll find 40 or 50 outboard motors at that place. It’s highly desirable for people in the drug trade.”

O’Brien said the thieves would have drawn a significant amount of attention to themselves during the theft.

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“The thieves had to remove it from the boat, they had to have the tools in place, at least two people to carry it and a truck to take it away. This would have taken a lot of time.”

With thieves preying on unattended vessels, O’Brien said there are numerous steps boat owners can take to prevent their motors from being stolen.

“The harder it is to remove, the better. We often suggest having two locks. You have to be vigilant if you’re storing your boat on land. Talk to your neighbours, let them know you have the boat on your property.”

The serial number for the stolen boat motor is 2A551473.

If anyone has information about the motor or seen it being sold, they’re urged to call Nanaimo RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

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