Gig Harbor Coach's Paddle Boat Stolen - Again

GIG HARBOR, WA - For the second time in July, someone has stolen the Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Race Team coach's boat. The boat was first stolen on July 10 from its home outside of Anthony's, but was later recovered in Tacoma. The thieves - or perhaps different ones - returned on Tuesday to steal the boat again.

According to the Tacoma News-Tribune, the boat - a $10,500 catamaran - went missing Tuesday morning, but was later found along the Puyallup River near the 11th Street Bridge. However, this time the thieves did some damage. The motor was taken and the boat's identifying numbers were scraped off.

The team wrote on Facebook Tuesday that it will now install a GPS tracker on the vessel to prevent any further thefts.

"Incredibly, our boat has been found. Again! It was found under the 11th Street Bridge on the Puyallup River in Tacoma. A tribal fisherman called it in, and Officer Tang with the Puyallup Tribal Police recovered the boat. The registration numbers were scraped off, but they identified it from tonight's article by Kenny Ocker in the News Tribune. The motor is missing, but we are so happy to have it back (mostly) intact. The thieves had dragged it about 300 feet up a road, so it's coming home on a flatbed this time (thanks, Eric, with Burns Towing). Next step - GPS tracker!"

Image via Gig Harbor police