Richmond, Ky. — A local man is sharing his story in hopes of warning others about a recent theft that took place in his own backyard. Christopher Lemaster reported that over $10,000 worth of fishing equipment was stolen from his boat parked behind his home early Tuesday morning.
Upon waking, Lemaster found his boat cover undone and fishing tackle scattered across his driveway. He discovered that significant items had been taken, including three out of his four graph electronics and numerous rods and reels. “They left everything that was inexpensive. They stole the expensive swim baits. I’ve got some limited edition Japanese baits that are very expensive and they knew to steal them,” Lemaster stated.
After noticing the theft, Lemaster promptly contacted the Richmond Police Department. Officers responded to the incident, collected evidence, and took into custody a knife found on the boat, which was believed to be used by the thieves to cut the line off the rods. They also confiscated all the knobs from the graph mounts, suggesting that the theft was premeditated.
According to statistics from CarRx, December is notorious for having high rates of vehicle thefts and break-ins. The most vulnerable hours for such incidents are typically between 2 and 5 a.m.
In the wake of this experience, Lemaster urges residents to take preventive measures to protect their belongings. He recommends storing expensive items inside, ensuring all vehicles and homes are locked, and investing in security systems such as a Ring Camera. “If I had had one of those, this would not be an issue. I’d know exactly who did it,” he commented.
Lemaster requests that if anyone comes across similar fishing equipment being sold at unreasonably low prices, they should alert local authorities. His aim is not just to recover his lost property but also to raise awareness about the risks of theft in the community.
