A surveillance camera captured this photograph of two individuals and a pick-up truck at the scene of a stolen 16-foot Polarcraft boat and Lippert boat trailer at Moraine State Park. State police is assisting the state DCNR with the investigation. Anyone who can provide information or the identify of the man or woman is asked to call Trooper David Aldridge at 412-475-5702. Messages also can be left at the ButlerState Police barracks at 724-284-8100.

MUDDY CREEK TWP — Two motorboats, along with a kayak and boating items such as paddles and fishing tackle, have been stolen at Moraine State Park.

Most recently, a 16-foot 2006 Polarcraft boat and Lippert boat trailer, worth up to $15,000, were taken between Sept. 25 and Oct. 15, according to a state police report issued Monday.

Another boat, a 2009 Bass Tracker worth about $13,000, also was stolen between Aug. 6 and Sept. 6, but it was recovered. However, its $3,000 motor was gone.

Jake Weiland, assistant manager at the park, said one man was arrested Oct. 6 after one of the motors, the kayak, and the fishing tackle were found at his home. Weiland did not identify the man or where he lives.

However, Weiland said the man arrested is not believed to be the primary suspect in the missing boat case.

State police have released a surveillance photograph of the most recent boat theft, showing a man and a woman next to a pickup truck with the missing boat. The woman's face is not visible; the man's face is.

“If anybody recognizes the male subject in that photo, I'd be really interested to talk to them,” Weiland said, adding that man is the primary suspect in the case.

Weiland said there are multiple suspects believed to be involved with the missing boats.

“I believe these two boat thefts are connected,” Weiland said.

Under park regulations, all boats parked or in the water at Lake Arthur had to be taken out of the park by Friday, the end of October, unless they were being stored there.

Both stolen boats were parked at the Davis Hollow Marina and were not properly secured.

Also three boat motors, worth about $1,500 each, a kayak, and thousands of dollars in fishing rods and tackle were reported missing at the park during the summer season.

These items also were not properly locked.

“These are thefts of convenience, stealing things that aren't secured, in sight, everything from the boats to the motors,” Weiland said. “They're not locked, so they're easily taken.”

He added more rangers have been working during the day and evening hours at the park in part to curb thefts. He also urged people to report thefts big and small to park staff immediately.

“Sometimes timing can greatly assist our DCNR rangers,” Weiland said.

Anyone who may know about the Polarcraft boat theft or who can identify either of the people in the photograph is asked to call Trooper David Aldridge of the State Police Auto Theft Task Force at 412-475-5702.

Also, there will be a Nov. 17 meeting for boaters who use the marina. The park staff will talk about the practices and policies at the marina as well as the increase in thefts there.

The 6 p.m. meeting will be at the Regional Conference Room on Park Road.

For information, call 724-368-8811.