Boat worker arrested for stealing thousands of dollars in tools

 

A 40-year-old man from White Springs, Florida hired to repair boats at a Marathon boatyard was arrested Monday for stealing thousands of dollars in items from the business.

 

Timothy Brown was charged with nine counts of dealing in stolen property, nine counts of fraud, larceny of more than $20,000 and property damage.

 

The boatyard manager told the Sheriff’s Office on June 5 that an ex-employee, Brown, had stolen numerous tools. The manager said he had hired Brown about three months ago to fix boats at the business as well as fix the manager’s personal boat. Brown was the only person with a key to the tool storage area. Brown was also the only person with a key to the manager’s boat. The manager left town about the beginning of May and returned in early June. Brown had not been seen by at the business for several days upon the manager’s return. The manager arrived to find his boat damaged with many tools missing from the storage area. More than 20 buffers, grinders, drills, sanding systems and saws, among other tools, were missing.

 

Det. Amanda Coleman investigated. The manager showed Det. Coleman the bathroom on his boat. The bathroom was not operable when the manager left. Pipes had not been installed and there was no way to flush the toilet. The manager reported that Brown was aware of this. Det. Coleman found human waste in the toilet system. The shower was also damaged. The manager said it would cost about $11,000 to repair the toilet and shower.

 

Initial investigation done by Deputy Juan Martin-Reyes concluded that Brown pawned some of the tools at a pawn shop in Marathon in May. Several of the missing tools were found at the pawn shop.

 

Det. Coleman filed warrants for Brown’s arrest.

 

Brown was booked into jail Monday night.

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