Don't steal a 13 Whaler in Key West and flee to Cuba!
11-11-2015, 07:40 AM
#1
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Don't steal a 13 Whaler in Key West and flee to Cuba!
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nat...110-story.html
In something of a reversal of the U.S. 'wet foot, dry foot' immigration policy, a 38-year-old man is accused of stealing a boat in Key West and fleeing to Cuba where he was taken into custody.
Shawn Michael Luskey entered Havana Harbor about 5 p.m. on Oct. 31 aboard a white, 13-foot Boston Whaler that was reported stolen from a slip at Murray Marine on Stock Island, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Surveillance video shows a man wearing a full wet suit at the marina about 10:42 p.m. trying to open the locked doors on several ice storage coolers.
He walks off camera but a short time later the stolen Boston Whaler is seen leaving its slip and heading northeast. The boat's owner reported the theft and admitted to leaving his keys in the ignition, investigators said.
Luskey, of Frankfort, Ind., was caught by Cuban border guards who called the U.S. Coast Guard. Cuban authorities also sent photographs of the stolen boat and Luskey, the Sheriff's Office said.
Luskey was being detained until he can be returned to Monroe County to face criminal charges, officials said. The charges include grand theft with a bond set at $45,000, sherfiff's officials said.
Boat taken from Keys seen in Havana. Cases of U.S. citizens trying to smuggle themselves into Cuba are unusual but not unprecedented.
"Let's say it has happened before. Not frequently, but it has happened," said Becky Herrin, spokeswoman for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Thousands of American tourists visit Cuba each year in violation of the U.S. embargo, but rarely is anyone caught or prosecuted.
Untold numbers of American fugitives also run to Cuba to evade prosecution for crimes ranging from Medicare fraud to murder. U.S. and Cuban diplomats are preparing for talks on law enforcement cooperation, including the return of fugitives who are holed up in Cuba.
Records show a Shawn Michael Wegmann Luskey has pleaded guilty to driving with a suspended and revoked license in Wisconsin and Iowa where he was ruled a habitual [traffic] offender.
Iowa's Muscatine Journal reported in April that Luskey was arrested for possessing a boat, trailer, motorcycle and lawnmower that he admitted may have been stolen, authorities said.
In something of a reversal of the U.S. 'wet foot, dry foot' immigration policy, a 38-year-old man is accused of stealing a boat in Key West and fleeing to Cuba where he was taken into custody.
Shawn Michael Luskey entered Havana Harbor about 5 p.m. on Oct. 31 aboard a white, 13-foot Boston Whaler that was reported stolen from a slip at Murray Marine on Stock Island, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Surveillance video shows a man wearing a full wet suit at the marina about 10:42 p.m. trying to open the locked doors on several ice storage coolers.
He walks off camera but a short time later the stolen Boston Whaler is seen leaving its slip and heading northeast. The boat's owner reported the theft and admitted to leaving his keys in the ignition, investigators said.
Luskey, of Frankfort, Ind., was caught by Cuban border guards who called the U.S. Coast Guard. Cuban authorities also sent photographs of the stolen boat and Luskey, the Sheriff's Office said.
Luskey was being detained until he can be returned to Monroe County to face criminal charges, officials said. The charges include grand theft with a bond set at $45,000, sherfiff's officials said.
Boat taken from Keys seen in Havana. Cases of U.S. citizens trying to smuggle themselves into Cuba are unusual but not unprecedented.
"Let's say it has happened before. Not frequently, but it has happened," said Becky Herrin, spokeswoman for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Thousands of American tourists visit Cuba each year in violation of the U.S. embargo, but rarely is anyone caught or prosecuted.
Untold numbers of American fugitives also run to Cuba to evade prosecution for crimes ranging from Medicare fraud to murder. U.S. and Cuban diplomats are preparing for talks on law enforcement cooperation, including the return of fugitives who are holed up in Cuba.
Records show a Shawn Michael Wegmann Luskey has pleaded guilty to driving with a suspended and revoked license in Wisconsin and Iowa where he was ruled a habitual [traffic] offender.
Iowa's Muscatine Journal reported in April that Luskey was arrested for possessing a boat, trailer, motorcycle and lawnmower that he admitted may have been stolen, authorities said.
11-11-2015, 09:07 AM
#3
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Bond set at 45K is no joke for stealing a 5K boat!
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11-11-2015, 07:03 PM
#5
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I guess the guy didn't hear the big Apache ran across alot faster earlier this year. Too bad - no record , no fame (unless Darwin coms a'calling) and not likely to post the $45K...
11-11-2015, 08:05 PM
#7
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11-11-2015, 08:49 PM
#8
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Good observation!
11-11-2015, 09:52 PM
#10
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A 13' Whaler is an awesome little boat, at least he choose the wisely in a boat brand to steal, at least it wouldn't sink no matter what, I give him props (credit) for that. Now for fleeing to Cuba, it is bad when Cuba kicks your ass out their country.
