2 Pennsylvania Men Charged With Stealing Boat Found Stuck In Delaware River

DAGSBORO, Del. (AP) - Two Pennsylvania men have been charged with boating violations after they were discovered in a stolen vessel that was stuck on a sandbar in a Delaware river, according to Delaware's natural resources department.

Matthew Tortu, 24, and Travis Gooding, 21, both of Coatsville, Pennsylvania, were found in a small skiff that was aground in the Indian River Bay early Saturday morning, Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police said in a statement Tuesday.

Officers determined the boat had been taken from Dagsboro, according to the statement.

Tortu and Gooding were charged with one count each of felony theft, felony conspiracy, criminal mischief, no boating safety certification, no navigation lights and negligent operation of a motor vessel, officials said.

Gooding was also charged with failure to maintain a proper lookout.

It was unclear whether the suspects had attorneys who could comment for them.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press.