Photo: the Salty Pup
June 27, 2021 – Santa Barbara, Ca.
With the recent proliferation of video surveillance cameras at every public parking lot, at street intersections, and in every retail establishment, there is only one question that comes to mind when learning of the theft of a boat, its trailer, and its outboard motor from the very public Santa Barbara Harbor. That question is simply what were they thinking?
Apparently thinking in general wasn’t on the agenda for 60-year-old Duane Hicks and 43-year- old Tim Rounds on the morning of June 12th when they planned and executed the theft of “Salty Pup,” a full-sized Zodiac vessel belonging to the Santa Barbara Youth Sailing Foundation.
According to Santa Barbara Police Department spokesman Ethan Ragsdale, the theft wasn’t discovered until June 15 th , at which time “extensive video surveillance” recordings were accessed and clearly identified the two men and the truck they used to commit the theft. The Youth Sailing Foundation soon thereafter posted multiple images of the suspects on social
media and on local area news channels.
Three days later, Lompoc Police patrols located the suspect vehicle. It didn’t take the cops long to locate both Hicks and Rounds, who were arrested and transported to Lompoc City Jail, where they were booked on charges of grand theft and conspiracy to commit a crime. Both were released on their own recognizance with appointments to appear in court to face their charges.
Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara Youth Sailing FoundationSalty Pup
