MIAMI – A man in Miami took matters into his own hands when he witnessed someone attempting to steal his boat, as per authorities.
According to the arrest report of the suspect, the boat’s owner was on his friend’s apartment balcony above American Social on a Thursday night. From there, he noticed his boat moving away from its docked position without a driver.
Reacting swiftly, the boat owner went downstairs and spotted a man, later identified as Joseph DeWayne Carlton, aged 47 and from Miami, trying to pull his boat away from the dock. Without hesitation, the owner jumped onto his boat to confront Carlton.
A confrontation ensued, with Carlton charging at the boat owner and physically attacking him by punching him in the face, according to the authorities.
However, the owner managed to break free from Carlton’s grasp and, in defense, pushed him into the water. When the police arrived at the scene, they found Carlton holding on to the back of the victim’s boat in the Miami River.
As a result of the incident, Joseph DeWayne Carlton was arrested and now faces charges of grand theft and battery.
