An honest thief
Beth Schmidt, who runs the poolside concessions at the Westin and who lives on a boat in Great Cruz Bay, was the victim this week of theft.
“When I got into my dinghy, I saw the gas line was undone so I knew someone had stolen my gas. But when I went to hook the line back up, I saw a twenty dollar bill under the gas tank. Yes, I laughed. It took me from pissed off to amused in an instant.”
Twenty bucks was enough to fill the tank back up, but probably not enough to cover the hassle.
“It wouldn’ve been nice if they’d left me enough gas to get to the dock to refuel. I had to borrow a car, go to the gas station, fill the tank and return the car. But I guess it was worth it for the story.”
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January 28th, 2009 09:08
Awwww, a pirate with a good heart! (that’s an “only on-stjohn story” for sure)
January 28th, 2009 10:26
Since when does a thief have the right to determine the value of what they steal?
January 28th, 2009 12:16
C’mon guys throw Beth a free T-shirt. Beth’s story gave you content for today.
January 28th, 2009 12:20
Not kosher…ever. That’s a felony offense in the marine karma department – punishable by an immediate trip to the dentist for reconstructive work. .
January 28th, 2009 16:06
when fuel was at its highest point this past summer we had our fuel tank from our dinghy stolen twice. i would have been incredibly happy if they had just stolen the gas like this “thief.” instead they took the tank, the lines, and attachment to the engine (it’s easier to detach from the engine rather than cut the fuel line and spill gas when stealing).
our thief made away with 2 gallons of gas worth $10.50, total cost for us to replace each time: $125 and a 4 hour trip to St. Thomas.
i’ve actually contemplated leaving a $20 bill under the tank for the next time he takes gas from us, maybe he’ll reconsider and just take the $20?
sadly, stealing dinghy’s & dinghy gas is a pretty popular thing to do on st. john – if anyone has any innovative suggestions to deter a thief let me know!
January 28th, 2009 17:21
If it were me and some low-life was stealing my gas…I might think about leaving a gas can in my dingy filled with water (add a little gas for that gas odor) or any other fluid that would destroy the inner workings of a boat motor…instead of taking time to cut my lines, the lazy bums would just steal the can..so when they pour that into their tank they end up ruining their own motor… but it has to be something that will make the thief’s motor useless forever…
January 29th, 2009 13:21
Matt, first off paint your engine cover in primer gray to make it look old and beat if a newer engine. Second, try chaining your tank around your drive train. Not a cure all but definetly a deterent and they will probably move on to the next one.
January 30th, 2009 21:01
seriously, I wish I had someone stealing my gas out of my dingy…that would mean I was down in St John and HAD a boat that needed a dingy.
(sigh)
5 degrees with real feel of 6! woot! we are warming up!!!
=-(
no gas, no dingy, no boat, cold, not in st john…depressed.
February 6th, 2009 16:07
While watching the webcam, EVERYDAY, I noticed a small white row boat. That is too smart. No one wants to steal a boat that actually requires you to do some work! BTW, does anyone know who rows the boat? I often see the boat but never the arrival/departure… =)