An early-morning distress call resulted in three arrests as a wayward 82-foot sailboat stuck on a sand bar near Pacifica turned out to be stolen from Sausalito.
It is believed that the vessel was stolen in the wee hours and was grounded at about 5:30 a.m. Monday between 75 and 100 yards from the Pacifica shoreline.
Sausalito Police Sgt. Bill Fraass said “The Darling” is “among the largest” boats in Sausalito’s marinas. He said most boat thefts are of small inflatables or dinghies and that “a vessel this large is a rarity.”
The sailboat was trapped at Pacifica State Beach in shallow water and unable to get back out to sea, reported Pacifica Police Capt. Joe Spanheimer. A U.S. Coast Guard ship reached The Darling, but the trio refused to leave the boat, instead trying to rock the boat free from the sand bar.
Fraass said that the sailboat’s owner saw a news report of a stolen vessel and recognized The Darling.
The boat's owner, whose name was not released as the investigation continues, was traveling to Pacifica Monday afternoon to work with authorities on removing the sailboat from the beach.
Spanheimer said the arrest was a rarity for Pacifica, as the city has no marina.
The three suspects, two men and a woman are facing charges of grand theft and conspiracy; they are being held at the San Mateo County Jail. They were identified at Leslie Gardner, 62, Dario Mira, 53, and Lisa Modawell, 55.
Patch’s Pacifica site has a timeline of the events.
Here's what else is happening on Mill Valley Patch
- Police Arrest Burglar Suspected of Ransacking a Miller Ave. Business
- Rash of Burglaries Prompt Police to Step Up Patrols
- Authorities Investigate Marin County Jail Inmate's Death
- Marin Woman Arrested in Prostitution Sting
For local news like this wherever you go, follow us! And don't forget to sign up for our daily e-newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
"Like" us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for the daily Mill Valley Patch newsletter | Start a blog
They probably thought that this was going to be their dream getaway, but sadly, they drank up all their beer and ate their pizza to quickly and barely made it 10 miles out on the ocean. They picked the wrong bar (a sand bar) to go to. Maybe when they get out of prison, they can make a movie about it, it would make a great comedy with some creative writing added.