San Rafael, CA – On 08/22/19, at 1:08 AM, Hector Gramajo-Diaz, a 28-year-old San Rafael resident, was arrested for stealing a small aluminum boat. Three other suspects were also detained and later released in connection with the theft.

At 12:27 AM, San Rafael Police Dispatch received a report that a witness observed a male suspect steal a 15-foot aluminum boat from a dock in the 500 block of Canal Street. The witness reported seeing the suspect rowing the boat away from the dock and was headed toward the bay.

Officers responded to the scene and requested the deployment of SRPD’s small rescue police boat. Two officers launched the boat and began searching the canal waterway for the stolen boat.

Within 25 minutes of the call, the officers aboard the police boat heard the aluminum hull of the boat collide with a small dock behind 240 Canal Street. Officers then observed four suspects attempting to hide in the boat. The police boat intercepted the suspects, detained them, and directed officers, on land, to their location. 

All four suspects were removed from the boat without incident and detained during the investigation. It was determined that Hector Gramajo-Diaz stole the boat and took if for a ride with his associates.  Gramajo-Diaz said that he picked up three of his friends shortly after stealing the boat.

Gramajo-Diaz was arrested and booked into the Marin County Jail for stealing the boat and for possession of the stolen property. The three other suspects were interviewed and released.

Officers aboard SRPD’s police boat towed the stolen boat back to its owner. There was no damage to the boat.