FLW angler Derrick Blake took his family with him to an event on Lake St. Clair, but got his truck and boat stolen overnight.
In an update to the story, FLW tour angler Derrick Blake has now reported that the stolen boat—a Ranger Bass Boat—has been found, but sadly stripped of all the useful fishing gear. Blake posted pictures to his Facebook page showing the extent of the damage.
Around 1:30 am on Monday, June 25 at the Days Inn and Suites in Roseville, Michigan, surveillance camera video shows two men approached Blake's SUV, a black 2005 Z71 Chevy Suburban, and ultimately break in and drive away. The cover photo is a screenshot of the You Tube video posted by the Roseville Police Department.
Here is Blake explaining things to WXYZ News:
The two men skulked around the parking lot and certainly noticed the fishing gear in the Ranger boat. According to Blake, they even got away with his children's car seats, but maybe the worst part of it all for a tourney angler was the list of his fishing gear:
12-inch Humminbird Helix units, two black Power-Poles, a Minn Kota Fortrex, Ark Rods Invoker Series, Lew's Magnesium casting reels and lots of Plano boxes full of lures.
Blake stated on his Facebook page that there was still no word on his 2005 Chevrolet Suburban, but the Ranger Z520C was almost a total loss. As seen in one of the pictures, even the Mercury 250 Pro XS outboard was missing from the boat. (Don't forget, the suspects got away with a 2005 black Chevrolet Suburban, Tennessee license plate tag 7K34M1)
The estimated total loss for everything is around $100,000. All this lost from a hotel parking lot by a man that showed up in town with his family for a fishing tournament. The boat theft, including personal effects, didn't sway the Tennessee angler from competing. Those around him stepped up to the plate and chipped in with a boat and enough gear for him to get back to practice.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Roseville Police Department at 586-447-4483. People are now sharing this information with anyone they know around the Lake Erie and St. Clair region to help the Blakes recover their missing property.
"Man, the worst feeling is knowing that my tackle is gone," Blake said, "Old (Rebel Pop-R) P70s and other stuff that is going to be very hard to replace was lost."
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NEXT: HUNTER FINDS HIS STOLEN LADDER ON PRIVATE PROPERTY WHILE TURKEY HUNTING
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