Attempted Boat Thief Swam Away, Hid Underwater: Sarasota Sheriff

Sarasota FL

06 May, 2022

2:09 PM

Description

ENGLEWOOD, FL — When a man trying to steal a boat docked in Englewood tried to get away by swimming into the Intracoastal Waterway, the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deployed its aviation and K-9 units to find him. (Watch the search for and apprehension of the suspect below.) Matthew DiPaolo, 35, of Port Charlotte was charged with attempted grand theft of a motor vehicle and resisting arrest with violence. He's being held on a $15,000 bond. Deputies responded to reports of the wannabe boat thief in the 700 block of West Wentworth Street Thursday just after 1 a.m. Before they arrived, the suspect jumped from the vessel and started swimming away, the sheriff's office said. Matthew DiPaolo faces charges after trying to steal a boat in Englewood. (Sarasota County Sheriff's Office) After a search using infrared equipment, DiPaolo was spotted trying to hide himself underwater. The aviation unit guided K-9 and patrol deputies to his location and he was taken into custody, SCSO said. Watch the infrared search for and apprehension of DiPaolo: