– Mary Garrison/Tribune-Courier || Authorities are investigating a series of boat burglaries that occurred during the holiday weekend.

More than 20 boats burglarized at Kenlake

Boats were
boarded between
July 4 and July 10

By Mary Garrison
Tribune-Courier Features Editor
mgarrison@tribunecourier.com

AURORA – “They took whatever was easy to grab,” said Kenlake Marina Manager Dale Hopson of a recent rash of break-ins at the marina.

According to a Kentucky State Police media release, between July 4 and July 10, more than 20 boats lodged at Kenlake fell victim to burglary.

“We’ve got a couple of guys that do repair work on some of the boats here,” Hopson said. “Some of their customers called them wondering if they had seen anything, that’s when we knew.”

Hopson said given the high volume of traffic over the holiday weekend, it was difficult to tell when the perpetrator(s) struck which dock. However, he said three of the four docks at Kenlake had been burglarized. Items are still being reported as missing.

“They took everything from television sets and stereos to pillows,” Hopson said. “They even went on one person’s boat, ate their ice cream and then left the empty tub upside-down on their bed.”

And while Hopson said the facility already has a gated entry and code system to gain access to the docks, “it’s a false sense of security if they come by water.

“They just pulled up and went on down the line,” he continued.

Hopson said boatowners are advised to lock their personal items up on watercraft and not to give out entry codes for the docks.

Regardless, Hopson said marina owner Mike Romano is taking steps to insure there won’t be a repeat incident.

“We’re looking into getting a camera system,” Hopson said.

“We’ve got a couple of businesses coming to give estimates.”

Anyone with any information is urged to phone KSP at (270) 856-3721.