MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A stolen yacht crashed into at least six other boats Sunday night at Miami Beach Marina, Miami Beach police said.
The crash happened about 11:30 p.m. near Monty's in Miami Beach. Police said the stolen 80-foot yacht was driven into a concrete pier and several boats at the dock. The thief then abandoned the boat after crash, according to police.
"These guys that own these boats, they know what they're doing," Steve Streitz, who was doing construction work Monday morning at the marina, said. "So, if they're hitting stuff, it's pretty guaranteed (that) they don't know what they're doing."
Chris Miller and his family live on The Lady Mary, which is docked at the Miami Beach marina. His son recorded the out-of-control yacht on his cellphone.
Miller and his family kept a light on in their boat and other boats began sounding their horns in warning before the thief crashed into boats at the marina.
Anfernee Rolle said he and his friends ran to help a man off his boat after the yacht crashed into it.
"It was like, what the hell is this guy doing?" Rolle said. "He's just going back and forth, ramming, ramming."
Police said the yacht began sinking shortly after the crash.
Authorities tried to prevent the yacht from taking on water, but stopped once it began to tip over. Witnesses said the thief jumped into the water to get away.
After police responded to the first theft, they realized there was a second theft attempt of another boat docked at the marina.
"They'll probably end up beefing up security and getting some more people out there, watching what's going on," Streitz said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.