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Thief sets sail with boat from Bonita Springs dock

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A thief taking a boat right off its lift in Bonita Springs.

The boat theft hits a little close to home for those who own boats along the river on Big Bend Road.

"Things like this can happen anywhere or at anytime. People should be conscious of security," said John Goodheart, who takes no chances with his boat.

Goodheart was a victim of theft a few years back. His experience taught him it is to be better safe than sorry.  "I have a lift.  I have a lock on it, and I also have security lights on it that come on night," he said.

A few owners think their neighbors are testing fate by only securing their boats with rope.  "You better tie it down or have it locked somehow, or it'll be gone," said Jim Whalen, who has lived right off the river for five years.

But after hearing about the boat theft, boaters will make sure no more boats disappear.

"A lot of the neighbors around here keep an eye out for each other," said Goodheart.