TIERRA VERDE - Three suspects believed to be part of a boat theft ring were arrested March 3 by Pinellas County Sheriff’s detective and deputies.
According to detectives, the three were spotted aboard a Spectre power boat by the Sheriff's Marine Unit around 2 a.m. The 34-foot-long boat had three 275 HP Mercury outboard engines and is worth $175,000.
Marine Unit deputies observed the boat motoring with lights off down a Tierra Verde canal near a Gulf access. Detectives later learned the boat had been taken from a dock behind a residence located on 11th Street East, Tierra Verde.
After apparently observing the Sheriff's Marine Unit, the suspects tried to ditch the boat at a dock located behind an Eighth Avenue address, the sheriff’s report said. Marine Unit deputies called for Patrol assistance. Patrol, K-9 and Flight units responded.
Suspects Diomere Mendez, 32, of Hialeah and Yordis Gutierrez, 31, of Naples were tracked and arrested by K-9 as they tried to hide under some stairs Seventh Avenue, Tierra Verde.
K-9 "Deuce" apprehended Mendez by his right arm, which required medical attention for minor injuries, the report said.
Suspect Christobal Rodriguez Contreras, 36, of Miami was tracked and arrested by K-9 as he tried to hide on Seventh Avenue, Tierra Verde.
All three suspects were charged with grand theft.
Detectives report that there were seven high end boat thefts in south Pinellas County last year. This year there have been at least two attempts in the Tierra Verde area. Based upon this activity, detectives and deputies employed a variety of patrol and surveillance strategies which resulted in the three suspects identified.
Authorities said more charges are possible. The investigation continues.
