Boaters in Fayette and likely elsewhere should keep a sharp eye on their kayaks and canoes.

A spate of thefts was first reported in mid-July and has spiked recently.

Fayette Town Manager Mark Robinson, who keeps residents abreast of issues like this, sent a notice Sunday afternoon about the most recent kayak disappearance. Like almost all the others, it took place on the shores of Lovejoy Pond.

“The kayak was near the water when stolen and probably taken during the middle of the night from the water,” Robinson noted. He said it was in the vicinity of Foster Drive.

He said the theft was reported to the Maine State Police, and they are investigating. Robinson said he was told some six or seven kayaks and canoes have been stolen over the past two weeks.

The first boat to disappear was a dark green Old Town L.L. Bean fishing kayak taken in mid-July. Then a bright yellow Pongo 120 and a new, multi-colored orange and yellow L.L. Bean Manatee kayak were stolen overnight Aug. 20.

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“They were there on Friday and gone on Saturday,” he said via-email.

Robinson said Monday that he was contacted by another person who wanted to report that his canoe, which had been chained up on Mosher Pond over the weekend, had been stolen after the chain was cut.

Anyone with information about the thefts and who might have seen the stolen boats for sale is asked to contact Maine State Police at 624-7076. The Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office also patrols in the Fayette area.

Robinson theorized that the thieves have found a way to sell the watercraft quickly to get some cash.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams


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