A group of yachtsmen had to pay USD $500 to have a stolen dinghy returned to them.
According to CSSN, the crew of a charter yacht that spent the night of March 25 in Clifton Harbour found out at 5.30 on March 26 that their dinghy was “missing.”.
A search of the shoreline with binoculars at sunrise did not locate it, according to the report.
However, shortly thereafter, a local arrived at their yacht and told them someone had “found” a dinghy and took them to where another man claimed to have “found” the dinghy at Frigate Island (in the dark).
They offered a $20 US finder’s fee.
The man refused to return the dinghy until he received $500 US.
The crew contacted their charter company, who suggested they pay the fee and depart immediately.
Upon payment of the $500 US, the dinghy was surrendered to the crew.
The report stated that, despite contacting the police, they failed to arrive. The yachtsmen departed the island shortly after, fearing for their safety.
