This is from WKYC in Cleveland.


http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=124268&provider=top

EUCLID -- The Coast Guard investigative unit is looking for two suspects who robbed a Euclid fisherman on Lake Erie Monday night around 7 p.m.

In Euclid, fishermen are watching the other boats on Lake Erie much more closely.

The innocent act of fishing has suddenly become a target for predators with a weapon.

The boating community has been buzzing about the perch fisherman who was robbed at gunpoint on the lake by two men.

George Degener, Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist, said that the suspects were in a 19-foot boat and pulled a gun on the fisherman.

The pair demanded the victim's wallet, cell phone and his boat keys.

The suspects then dumped the cell phone and the boat keys in the lake and escaped with cash and the man's fish.

Degener added, "Luckily, the victim had a spare set of ignition keys and was able to start his engine and return to the marina where he called for help."

As the fishermen returned from the lake today, many were shaking their heads in disbelief.

Don Howell had been perch fishing with his buddies, Dan Szanyi and Eric Boyd.

Howell said, "You'd never think that a robber on the water was possible. But the world has come down to that."

Eric Boyd added, "I've heard of carjacking before, but never heard of a boatjacking. This is ridiculous."

Fisherman George Crosier said, "Oh, yeah it's scary out there for somebody to do that."

Crosier added, "I've heard of them doing that deer hunting. They pull guns on people. But not on the water. I've never heard of it on the water."

At Wildwood Marina in Euclid, some fishermen are now talking about taking guns onboard for protection.

Larry Bolton said, "To think I can come out here and get robbed is sickening. Makes me think about carrying a gun with me or something."

Earl Noonan nodded in agreement and said, "Yeah it's scary. It's not safe anywhere anymore."

Debbie Zeledonis said, "In all the years I've been coming here you never heard of anything like that. Down here, everybody knows everybody. Robbery on the water is disgusting."

Zeledonis added, "We fishermen trust each other. It's always been that way and suddenly that trust is getting ripped away."

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call the Coast Guard 9th District Command Center.
© 2009 WKYC-TV

How do you like that modern day Pirates on our Inland Seas? Unreal, I sure hope they manage to find the pair that did this before they do it again!!

good thing he extra keys
wind blowing the wrong way coulda been a bad deal
but i guess it wouldnt take much to hot wire it
that is truly a bad story

i am surprised we haven't seen this earlier.

My friend operates a tree service. Last week, my friends dad was grinding out a stump over on Franklin ave. and a guy walks up to him, puts a butcher knife to his stomach and tells him to give him all his money or he would kill him. The creep took $80.00 from him...but other then being pretty shook up, he wasn't hurt. All the time the robbery was going on, people were walking by looking and nobody even called 911.

They even had the balls to take the guys fish... what are these people thinking.

Sounds like the perfect alibi for somebody that made a detour to the casino.. Yeah honey, I was robbed... AND they took all my fish...

Well piracy has been on the rebound for years. Sad that its actually hitting the fresh water. You will likely see more armed anglers out there now.

3 words......permit to carry.

geeeeez
one hasta have a protection to go fishing
maybe alittle bias but that kinda thing wouldnt happen in mn
would it
remember MINNESOTA NICE !!

O Great a shoot out on the water!!! I am not saying don't defend yourself, but this smacks of the wild west type of thing.

I'm not buying it.
I smell B.S.

Be sure and use steel shot when shooting pirates on freshwater.

Funny. really funny.

Good reminder! Wouldn't want to get fined to boot.