Water Chase: Suspect Takes Baywatch Boat, Authorities Say

MARINA DEL REY, CA — A man suspected of stealing a lifeguard boat Tuesday afternoon led authorities on a water chase across the Santa Monica Bay from Malibu to Marina del Rey, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials said.

"Well, we don't make it a habit of conducting felony stops of Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard "Baywatch" Rescue Boats," sheriff's deputies from the Marina del Rey station shared on Facebook. "But that isn't a Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguard with his hands in the air!!!"

Harbor Patrol deputies responded to the Santa Monica Bay to locate a suspect "who decided it would be fun to play lifeguard and steal "Baywatch Malibu" from its mooring," sheriff's officials said.

Joining the nautical chase were other lifeguards, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the sheriff's department Air 5 helicopter, the boat and suspect were located out in the Pacific Ocean, officials said. The suspect was apprehended and taken into custody.

The Baywatch rescue boat was returned to the lifeguards in Malibu with no major damage. Suspect details were not immediately available.

Radio scanners picked up the incident about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

People on Twitter started sharing what they heard on the scanner, saying the boat was heading toward Dockweiler.

@ChaseAlert @LAScanner @LAPolicePursuit Any of you listening to the stolen lifeguard boat out of Malibu headed toward Dockweiller? Baywatch Del Rey is following it, LASD Marina Del Rey's boat is enroute.
— Curtis E. Flush (@ImA1032) January 26, 2021

It certainly was humorous to listen to the coordination between Baywatch Del Rey, LASD Air 5 & LASD MDR's boat crew! The world keeps getting crazier by the day!
— Curtis E. Flush (@ImA1032) January 27, 2021

Just heard a helicopter pilot on the Santa Monica Airport Tower frequency say he was heading out over the water to chase a stolen lifeguard boat. Never a dull moment in LA.
— Mike Doose (@theDoose) January 26, 2021

Termination of yesterday's little joyride. pic.twitter.com/3HIxGXppsU
— Curtis E. Flush (@ImA1032) January 28, 2021