2 Bartow Men Charged With Stealing $17,000 Boat, Trailer

BARTOW, FL – Two man have been arrested and charged with stealing a boat and trailer valued at $17,000.

According to Bartow Police, the boat was reported stolen between Aug. 7 and 8.

At 4:20 a.m. on Wednesday, officers noticed the stolen boat parked along the roadway of County Road 555 near the south city limits. A white four-door SUV was parked next to the boat.

As officers approached, several men hopped into the SUV and fled south on CR 555 and then east on CR 640 to U.S. 17. At that point, the SUV stopped and two men fled on foot.

Police apprehended the driver, 21-yer-old Theophlous Clay, and Willie Lott, 50.The third man remains at large.

Burglary tools and bolt cutters were located near the stolen boat and in the SUV. Police believe the men were in the process of stripping the boat to steal the outboard motor.

Clay was charged with grand theft, fleeing to elude and possession of burglary tools. Lott was charged with grand theft and possession of burglary tools.

Image via Bartow Police

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