7 boats stolen at Lake Lanier; 2 arrested
Two men have been arrested after seven boats were stolen at Lake Lanier, a Hall County sheriff’s spokesman said Tuesday.
Donald Ray Ladd, 46, and Bruce Michael Vandervoet, 56, were charged with theft by taking, Deputy Stephen Wilbanks said in a news release.
Both men were seen in surveillance video of the Timberidge community boat dock, Wilbanks said. Vandervoet lives in the community.
Ladd was arrested at the scene July 23 and charged with the theft of a 2007 Sun Chaser pontoon boat, Wilbanks said. Vandervoet was arrested Aug. 6.
“Investigators are still working to determine if Ladd and Vandervoet are involved in the other thefts,” Wilbanks said, “and they are also working to identify other individuals possibly involved.”
Vandervoet contacted The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday and said he is not guilty.
“I did not steal any boats,” he said.
Since the last week in June, seven watercraft in the Lake Lanier area were reported stolen, all of which were recovered, according to Wilbanks.
Other stolen boats and their locations were:
- 2003 Sweetwater Tuscany pontoon boat, from a dock on Nautical Way;
- 2007 Sea-Doo personal watercraft, from a dock on Wild Turkey Way;
- 2015 Xcursion pontoon boat, from a dock on River View Drive;
- 2014 Chaparral fish/ski boat, from a dock on Shoreline Drive;
- 1995 Yamaha Wave Runner, from a dock on Mount Vernon Road;
- 1999 Sea Ray boat, from a dock on Cool Springs Road.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call (770) 531-6879.
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