San Francisco Bay Boaters Fight Off 'Pirates' Terrorizing Waterways, Leading to Arrests

Suspected "Pirates" Arrested in San Francisco Bay

In a major development, three suspected maritime burglars accused of terrorizing the residents of San Francisco Bay have been apprehended and are now in custody. The arrest took place in the Oakland-Alameda Estuary on March 28, following multiple incidents of theft and physical confrontations with the so-called "East Bay Pirates."

Months of Rampant Theft

Residents living in houseboats and yachts on the 800-foot-wide waterway were subjected to almost a year of theft and confrontations as vagrants, believed to be from Oakland's homeless encampments, utilized small boats to raid large ships and steal valuables. Homeowners even had to fight back and chase the thieves across the bay.

Arrest and Recovery of Stolen Property

The suspects, who remain unnamed, were apprehended after breaking into a business on March 13. They were identified through surveillance video in the estuary. Law enforcement conducted search warrants on the small boats and successfully recovered the stolen property. The case has been transferred to the Alameda County District Attorney for further legal proceedings.

Impact on the Oakland-Alameda Estuary Community

The Oakland-Alameda Estuary, separating the two cities, is home to multiple marinas with approximately 3,000 boat slips, where a community resides on houseboats and yachts. Last summer and fall, maritime burglars used small, stolen, or discarded boats to ransack large vessels and steal any available valuables, subsequently sinking the ships or abandoning the boats in Oakland Harbor or along its shorelines.

Residents' Testimonies

Several residents have shared harrowing personal experiences at various municipal meetings, highlighting the dire situation. According to former harbormaster Brock de Lappe, the shoreline of the estuary has become littered with sunken wrecks and derelict vessels. Victims often found themselves having to confront the criminals personally to recover their property, without adequate police support.

"The open shoreline of the (Oakland-Alameda) estuary is littered with sunken wrecks and derelict, end-of-life vessels, and crime has risen to truly intolerable levels," former harbormaster Brock de Lappe.

Impact on Local Businesses

The severity of the situation has had a detrimental effect on local businesses as well. The owner of a sailing school in Alameda reported that half of its safety boats were stolen by the perpetrators, putting the establishment on the brink of closure.

Community Action

Several individuals, including Dan Hill, have been actively involved in raising awareness about the issue, advocating for a resolution. Their efforts included attending municipal meetings, corresponding with officials, and calling for action to address the problem.

Collaborative Law Enforcement Efforts

Following months of jurisdictional challenges and declining law enforcement staffing levels, the Oakland and Alameda police departments, in collaboration with the Coast Guard, have taken significant steps to address the issue. The Coast Guard's involvement has been particularly crucial, given their base in the estuary.

"It's a federal and state problem, and we're all working to protect the best interests of everyone in the estuary," a Coast Guard spokesperson mentioned.

Continued Investigation

While the recent arrests mark a significant milestone, ongoing thefts in and around the Oakland estuary remain under investigation by the Oakland Police Department. The authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist in the inquiry.

Chris Eberhart is a crime and US news reporter for Fox News Digital. For any tips or information, he can be reached via email at chris.eberhart@fox.com or on Twitter @ChrisEberhart48.