Aventura Marina Thieves Target High-End GPS Units, Damaging Nearly a Dozen Boats

Marina Theft Incident

• 🎯 Thieves gained access to the gated Hi-Lift Marina in Aventura by jumping the fence.
• ⏰ The incident occurred early Thursday morning, shortly after 2:30 AM.
• ⚡ In less than 15 minutes, the perpetrators moved between boats, specifically targeting valuable electronics.

Stolen and Damaged Electronics

• 💰 High-end GPS units, primarily Garmin navigation systems, were stolen from multiple vessels.
• 💸 The cost of the stolen equipment per boat ranged from $300 to $6,000, with some owners losing up to $12,000-$13,000 worth of equipment.
• 🛠️ Boats from which units could not be stolen were damaged, with wires cut and empty holes left behind.
• 🛥️ At least eight to nine boats were confirmed to be victims of the theft.

Security and Prevention

• 💡 Marina management noted that only authorized personnel and boat owners have access to the marina.
• ⚠️ Experts recommend bolting GPS systems securely to vessels as a preventative measure.
• 📞 Authorities are urging anyone with information about the thieves, who were captured on surveillance video, to contact the Aventura Police Department.
• 🔒 The video suggests that the stolen equipment may be traceable, potentially leading to the thieves' apprehension.