Man's Yacht Theft, Ride Down Allegheny River Goes Awry

PITTSBURGH, PA — A man is in custody after his attempt to steal a yacht Friday was about as successful as the Titanic's maiden voyage.

According to Pittsburgh public safety officials, an intoxicated man broke into the Lock Wall Marina off of 23rd Street in the Strip District early Friday morning. He boarded and unmoored an 82-foot yacht, then ran into trouble.

He couldn't turn on the power to the vessel.

Rather than abort the theft attempt, he floated the yacht down the Allegheny River until the boat came to rest along the river wall. It came to a stop approximately 50 yards from the Pittsburgh River Rescue boathouse.

River Rescue personnel boarded the yacht and detained the man, who was medically cleared by city EMS and then taken to the Allegheny County Jail.

Charges are pending, public officials said.

No damage to other boats or objects along the river during the joyride was reported.