Stolen Sea-Doo used in alleged illegal border crossing: Sarnia police

Sarnia police say a Toronto man stole a rented Sea-Doo to illegally cross into the U.S. on the water. CTV London’s Gerry Dewan explains.

Authorities one both sides of the Canada/U.S. border continue to search for a Toronto man after a rented personal watercraft (PWC)was apparently used to enter the U.S. illegally.

The man, identified as Romeo Bajrami, 40, paid cash for a one-hour rental from Gordons Watersports in Sarnia.

The rental happened around 6:45 p.m. Saturday evening. When the watercraft wasn’t returned by 7:45 p.m., staff contacted the man by phone.

They say he apologized and said he was about 10 minutes away.

Multiple follow-up calls were made, and then Sarnia police were called just before 10 p.m.

A search was launched for the man and the machine on both sides of the border.

“It eventually ended up being located on the U.S. border site,” said Sarnia Police Inspector Tristen Vosburg.

The machine was found on the Michigan-side shore, not far from Stag Island. Stag Island sits in the middle of the St. Clair River on the Canadian side of the border.

Inspector Vosburg said Sarnia police continue to work with organizations on both sides of the border, “We have a working relationship with multiple agencies here on the Canadian side of the border with the RCMP, the OPP, the CBSA. And then with the Coast Guard, as well as with the United States Coast Guard and United States police agencies on the other side. So, we work hand-in-hand with them.”

Taylor Gordon is president of Gordons Watersports. He declined doing media interviews but issued a statement, saying strict protocols are followed during watercraft rentals, including verifying identification and getting signed waivers.

They also have tracking systems on the watercraft. In his statement, Gordon said, “In this specific case, the tracking system on the rented PWS stopped transmitting during the rental period. The cause of this malfunction is still under investigation.”

Vosburg said the other concern is people putting themselves at risk making the crossing, “It’s not just a small little river. There’s lots of current, there’s lots of undertowk, and people that aren’t maybe as experienced with watercraft; it’s actually, the safety that’s our concern.”

Gordon told CTV news that the watercraft likely won’t be returned any time soon. Canadian Border Services told him the full investigation will likely take months, and the craft will be held during that process.