A Lindenhust man is facing charges including Grand Larceny after police say he stole a boat and took it for a ride on the Great South Bay. On July 29, 2020 a West Islip man reported his1987 24-foot Romarine commercial crabbing vessel was stolen from the canal at his residence on Oak Neck Lane. The victim posted the incident on social media and was alerted the vessel was observed being operated in the Great South Bay by an unknown subject.
Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau Officers John Rodriguez and Brian Martinico were patrolling the oceanfront west of Cedar Beach at approximately 12 p.m. when a lifeguard alerted them of an occupied vessel that appeared to be disabled in the surf. The officers responded to the scene and detained a man and woman who exited the boat at 12:08 p.m.
After an investigation, Third Squad detectives charged William Deppisch, 32, of 22 East John Street, Lindenhurst with Grand Larceny 4th Degree. The woman was not charged.
The stolen vessel was moved off the beach by Suffolk County Police Officers Raymond Cairo and Bernadette Benjamin on board Marine Juliet, with assistance from New York State Parks Police and Town of Babylon Bay Constables and towed to the Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau at Timber Point. Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau Officers Kevin Yoli and John Falcone on board Marine Kilo assisted with the towing. The boat was returned to its owner.
Deppisch is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on August 18, 2020.
