ALEXANDRIA BAY, N.Y. -- Two teens returned to the scene of their alleged crime at Thousand Islands Marine, 45465 Route 12, Saturday and drove into a trap set by the owner, according to state police.
Ryan E. Church, 23925 Swan Hollow Road, Alexandria Bay, and Brandon M. Hull, 44495 Barnes Settlement Road, Redwood, both 19, face charges of trespassing, fourth-degree criminal mischief, petit larceny and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property when they are arraigned in town of Alexandria Court.
Police said they are accused of twice going onto the property at Thousand Islands Marine, and on both occasions, slitting shrink wrap that had been placed over boats stored for winter. They additionally cut fuel lines on at least five boats and collected the spillage of about 75 gallons of gasoline.
An 18-horsepower motor also was stolen off one boat, police said. The combined loss was estimated at $3,900.
Facility owner Martin E. Bigelow reported on Nov. 1 vandalism to 13 boats, police said. Following that investigation, Mr. Bigelow set his trap, consisting of a surveillance camera and a nail-studded board in the facility's driveway, police said.
When he returned Friday, Mr. Bigelow discovered that seven more boats had been vandalized. He also found that his camera had successfully recorded a black sport utility vehicle driving into the lot, police said.
A trooper found the SUV, with soft tires, parked on Barnes Settlement Road. Also found at one of the suspects' home was the boat motor, police said.
Copyright 2011 - Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
