VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A crime trend involving trailers stolen out of people’s driveways and from the sides of roads has prompted an ongoing investigation in Volusia County, Sheriff Mike Chitwood said.
The sheriff’s office launched a new sting operation that’s already led to 35 arrests in stolen trailer cases, according to Chitwood.
On Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said on social media that a boat was reported stolen the day prior from the owner’s home along Spruce Street. Depicted in the pictures at the top of this story, a 21-foot 2023 NauticStar center console (with a green finish) was last seen Tuesday morning but was gone along with its trailer when the owner returned home from work, according to the post.
Robert Ryder said his boat and trailer were stolen Tuesday out of his front yard in New Smyrna Beach in broad daylight.
“It was a dream boat of ours. We had been working toward this for six years,” he said.
Ryder told News 6 that the 21-foot center console was stolen on the trailer.
“We actually ran the boat Sunday. We got ran out really quick by an afternoon storm coming back. From my memory, I could have sworn I put the lock on. It’s nowhere to be found. Normally, if the lock’s not on the hitch, it’s in the garage and it’s not there,” he said.
Neighbors told Volusia Sheriff’s Office deputies they saw a man pulling away with the boat behind his SUV.
None of the neighbors have Ring or surveillance cameras.
“It’s a tough waiting game. It’s devastating,” Ryder said.
Chitwood said deputies have a couple of leads so far.
“We have our own trailers that we park in locations around the county that have technology on there (and) that when that sucker moves, it alerts all the deputies around,” he said.
The sheriff also said people need to be diligent in protecting themselves.
“We’re deploying as much technology as we can, but we need homeowners to really take that extra step. Spend a couple hundred dollars more to try to target-harden yourself,” he said.
A possible suspect vehicle in Ryder’s case was identified as a tan Ford Transit Connect van, also depicted in the photos above.
Chitwood shared the following tips with News 6 to better avoid having your trailer stolen out from under you:
- Invest in even a cheap camera for your house or next to where you park the trailer.
- Invest in a good trailer hitch lock.
- Consider placing an Air Tag somewhere on your trailer.
- Make sure items on trailer are insured.
Anyone with information on the boat and trailer stolen from Spruce Street is urged to call 386-423-3301 or to email Detective McIntosh at dmcintosh@volusiasheriff.gov.
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
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