Police say a man stole a 56-foot motor yacht from a Baltimore marina and took it for a joy ride before running aground on the Patapsco River.
Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) found 39-year-old Norman Watson on board the powerboat in Masonville Cove on Nov. 7. Watson, of no fixed address, wasn’t able to provide any proof of ownership and couldn’t tell police the boat’s name, which was emblazoned on the hull.
The boat had suffered damage from running aground and had to be towed back to shore.
Video surveillance later showed Watson breaking into a marina at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and stealing the vessel earlier that morning. NRP found the boat’s actual owner, who confirmed he docks his boat at the marina and did not allow Watson to take it out.
Watson is charged with theft, unauthorized use of a boat, malicious destruction of property, and trespassing on posted property. He’s set to appear in court Nov. 30.
