by Some people relax with a cup of coffee, while others, as it turns out, steal a luxury vessel and try to escape from law enforcement through the waters of Florida. Mondays are rarely easy, but for this Russian and a group of local police officers, the day turned out to be particularly eventful.
Mykola Vilkoff is accused of stealing a 21-meter yacht worth $2 million and a subsequent slow-speed water chase. This story resembles a mix of police chase movies, only with a maritime setting.
The incident occurred around 1:00 PM local time when witnesses spotted Vilkoff near the vessel at the Blowing Rocks marina. By 4:00 PM, he had already set off on the stolen yacht, after which the port administration reported it missing.
According to WPBF, law enforcement deployed all available resources after confirming the theft. The search involved patrols from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Jupiter Island Police Department. However, high-speed chases are impossible on such a large vessel, so while the yacht was quickly found, stopping it proved more difficult.
“They located the vessel but understood the technical complexity of the operation. Compare: a three-deck yacht, 21 meters long, against small police boats with a crew of 1-2 people,” explained Sheriff John Budensiek. As a result, law enforcement coordinated their efforts and forced the yacht aground.
“A decision was made to run the stolen vessel ashore. Several boats simultaneously began pressing against the side of the yacht until it was pushed into the mangrove thickets, where it lost momentum,” added Budensiek. After that, tear gas was used and the perpetrator was detained.
Motives Remain Unclear
The reasons why Vilkoff allegedly stole the yacht are still unknown. Among the versions are plans to reach the Bahamas or involvement in smuggling activities. However, this story clearly showed: police pursuit tactics work on water too, although they require more equipment and a willingness to take risks.
