Arrest warrant issued for man accused of dumping sailboat on Florida beach

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – In what’s far more than a simple case of illegal beach parking, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood has identified a man accused of abandoning his sailboat on New Smyrna Beach.

The sheriff’s office said Friday on social media that it had attained an arrest warrant for Michael John Grimes, 49, regarding his alleged felony violation of Florida’s litter law as it applies to amounts exceeding 500 pounds.

“Our beaches aren’t your dumping grounds,” the post states. “We’ve been trying to get in contact with him since November, but he has not responded and has shown no intention of removing his boat.”

Nearby resident Thomas Smith told News 6 that he moved the boat after it recently “shifted” thanks to the windy weather.

“Kids climb all over it,” he said. “There was a rope hanging down, and somebody tied a piece of wood to it and was using it as a swing, so it’s just an eyesore, and it’s dangerous.”

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Chitwood discussed the issue with News 6, explaining that it’s the first time his office has had to deal with such a case.

“Usually, you get some kind of cooperation once we identify who has dumped their boat,” Chitwood said.

According to Chitwood, Grimes ordered an Uber after he washed ashore. Grimes then reached out to the Coast Guard and Seatow, and he was quoted a price of $15,000 to have the boat removed, Chitwood added.

“Then he climbed over the dunes and called for an Uber and went back to his hotel room and then checked out the next morning,” Chitwood said.

Grimes’ last known address was said to be in Concord, California, according to the sheriff’s office.

His current location is unknown, the sheriff’s office said, noting the arrest warrant carries nationwide extradition.

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