Monroe County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a boat theft and a home burglary after a house was broken into and a $40,000 Scarab jet boat and trailer were reported stolen in Key Largo on Saturday.
Upper Keys Road Patrol Deputy Dave Campbell responded to the home on the 96000 block of the Overseas Highway at 3:15 p.m. to find the owner who said her 2017 boat and trailer were missing. Deputy Campbell entered the home and found much of it ransacked, with multiple drawers and cabinets opened. A TV, barbecue grill, video game console and games, as well as surfboards and personal flotation devices, were also missing from the property.
Multiple other deputies, as well as Upper Keys Detective Edward Askins, arrived on scene. The owner noted a chain bolt around the electric gate had been cut, allowing access to the property by simply sliding the gate. A patio door to the house appeared to have been pried open with a screwdriver or similar device in order to gain entry into the home.
Deputy Campbell suggested the owner invest in some security cameras given the home’s close proximity to U.S. 1 and the owner said she would look into having them installed. The house had been broken into before, the owner noted.
The owner also said she would compile a list of all the missing items for the Sheriff’s Office.
Detective Askins collected evidence in the case, which remains ongoing.
Information in the Crime Report is obtained from reports provided by area law enforcement agencies.
If you have information that could help solve a crime in the Florida Keys, call Crime Stoppers, 800-346-TIPS.