A 25-year-old man was arrested by deputies after taking a joy ride in a stolen boat Thursday night near Chinook Landing in Fairview.
Around 8 p.m., sheriff’s deputies received a report that the man, who was accompanied by two people, had launched a stolen boat and was driving toward the main channel in the Columbia River.
Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) sheriff’s deputies responded, as did the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) Air Support Unit, which was able to locate and track the boat’s travel. The Air Support Unit relayed information to deputies that the operator appeared to be joyriding in the Columbia River. Shortly after, the boat appeared to be returning to the dock at Chinook Landing. Deputies crafted a plan to remain out of sight until the operator docked the boat. Deputies coordinated a response to approach the operator and two passengers by blocking potential escape routes on the water and by land.
All three individuals were detained without incident. The operator was identified as Andrew M. Belsher, 25.
Belsher was issued a criminal citation for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. It is possible additional charges are added at a later date. The two passengers were not charged with a crime and released.
The registered owner of the boat and boat trailer met deputies at Chinook Landing. The owner stated they said their boat and trailer were stolen from the Jantzen Beach area on Monday, May 30. They spotted their stolen property being towed near NE 111th Avenue and NE Marine Drive. The owner stated they called the non-emergency line and spent more than an hour on hold waiting to speak with a dispatcher.
The owner examined their property and reported no damage to deputies. The pickup truck used to pull the boat was towed and is suspected to be an unreported stolen vehicle.
