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Submitted by Dr.Wil Lala -

Around 2 a.m. Sunday, the 11th of July, Wil Lala's boat was stolen from the Caribbean Villas pier. Toward the south of the island an alert night watchman saw suspicious activity near some of the piers starting at 6 pm. He suspected that the theft of a boat or boats was being planned and alerted several people in the area. He saw three black men in a 23 foot Ponga type white boat with blue trim. One in a red shirt, one with no shirt, one with a black life jacket. Another man was on a wave runner. The thieves got Dr. Lala's boat, the Gigi, undetected. The boat was padlocked with a heavy chain and there was night security.

The abandoned stolen boat was spotted by a fishing guide early Sunday morning in the mangroves near Congrejo Caye. Everything on board had been taken including two 115 hp 4 stroke Yamaha motors.

Dr. Lala reported the theft to the Police but they were not able to notify the Coast Guard as they did not have the phone number. We called many people and either could not reach them or they did not know it or they were on their boat and didn't have the number with them. Billy Leslie was able to give us the phone number of the Commissioner of the Port Authority. We left a message on his phone and he responded quickly.

While Dr. Lala was recovering the boat Carols Alejos of Suya Tours went to the Coast Guard and got three phone numbers that can be used to contact the Coast Guard. Others on the island may like to have them in case of an emergency. The numbers are as follows: 626-2631, 205-2173 extension 450 and 225-2186.

Commissioners Flowers of the Port Authority requested that Wil get a copy of the police report when he filed it and FAX it to him to aid in the search for contents of the boat and the engines and perhaps lead to the identity of the thieves. Sunday afternoon when Dr. Lala went in the police office to file a police report he was told that could not be done on a Sunday.

Thanks to an alert guide and with the help of friends the boat was recovered but not the engines, cushions, gas tanks, center consul cover, engine instruments, Eagle 480DF fish and depth finder, Marine radio, two marine batteries (one only 3 days old), fish gaff and push stick.
The Lala's send a special thanks to: Cliff Kirk, Carlos and Suyapa Alejos,Carlos Marin, Billy Leslie, Steve Lee and Marcela Marin.

If you have any more information on this theft please call Dr. Lala at 226-2716.

The police don't know the Coast Guard's phone number? Someone needs a tune up.

BTL doesn't either. The emergency number listed for the Coast Guard in the phone book is actually the number for the Ladyville Taxi Service. If you call the number in the green pages you get voice mail and they don't return calls.

Marine Radio Channel 16?

Coast Guard-225 2186. Or call Min of Natl Security at 822 2231

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZBdxvego1E

I'd "tune up" the nite watchman/security guys. He "suspected the theft" hours earlier, gives you better ID than most criminal trials.Check his/their pocket.