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http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120402/bc_marine_mechanic_charged_thefts_120402/20120402/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

A B.C. marine mechanic is facing dozens of criminal charges for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of boats, motors and fishing equipment from marinas across the Lower Mainland.
 
Police believe that 43-year-old Frank Jerry Cutajar of Surrey has stolen from at least 18 victims, even allegedly lifting an outboard motor while out on bail and under surveillance by police detectives.
 
"He knows boats and marine equipment intimately. His services were being utilized, and unbeknownst to those using his services, he would be stealing from them," Vancouver Police Const. Lindsey Houghton told reporters Monday.
 
Cutajar was first arrested and charged with nine counts after investigators linked him to a boat, trailer and outboard motor that had been stolen in Delta on Jan. 28. Police were then led to a Richmond property where they discovered 10 stolen outboard motors and a generator that an unsuspecting buyer had allegedly purchased from Cutajar. Those items were traced to thefts from marinas and driveways in Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Delta, Coquitlam and Surrey.
 
Investigators were able to identify another three victims after searching a storage locker and discovering even more stolen property.
 
Cutajar was out of custody on bail on Feb. 26 when investigators say he stole an outboard motor and sold it over Craigslist. He was arrested again on March 13 and more than 40 charges were added to his list of alleged offences.
 
He has since been released from custody on conditions including that he stay away from all private and public marinas and docks in the Lower Mainland. Meanwhile, investigators are working to identify more alleged victims.
 
Houghton said police are issuing a "buyer beware" warning to anyone purchasing marine equipment using free classified sites like Craigslist.
 
"If you purchase online items from an untrusted source without doing any due diligence, you may find yourself not only the victim of a crime, but you may, as is the case with many of these victims, find yourself out a significant amount of money," he said.
 
The police investigation began in January after almost $300,000 in small boats and high-end fishing equipment was reported stolen over a matter of a few months. Investigators with the Vancouver Police Department, North Vancouver RCMP and West Vancouver Police Department worked together to identify Cutajar as a suspect and monitor his activities.
 
Police say that since their investigation began, no marinas in Vancouver have reported stolen equipment.