Russian National Steals $2.5 Million Luxury Yacht In Florida, Gets Caught

A Russian national was arrested in Florida after he stole a $2.5 million luxury yacht and led police on a dramatic water chase that ended with the vessel grounded in mangroves.

According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect, 29-year-old Nikolai Vilka, first stole a TowBoat US vessel around 2 a.m. on May 5.

The vessel got stuck on a sandbar, and just hours later, at 3:55 p.m., Vilka reappeared at Blowing Rocks Marina near Tequesta, where he took off with a 66-foot, three-story yacht.

A dockmaster at the marina alerted authorities after confirming with the vessel’s captain that it was not scheduled to leave that day. The yacht was soon spotted heading northbound in the Intracoastal Waterway, near the Hobe Sound area.

Deputies attempted to block its path at the Hobe Sound bridge, but Vilka began ramming the bridge pilings, prompting officers to open it and avoid structural damage.

Officials said that about a quarter-mile past the bridge, Vilka appeared to struggle steering the massive vessel. Deputies then executed a plan to force the yacht into mangrove trees to bring it to a stop.

Law enforcement boats surrounded the yacht, and bodycam footage later released showed officers approaching the vessel with weapons drawn.

When Vilka refused to surrender, deputies used tear gas to flush him out. He was taken into custody without a weapon, and only a change of clothes was found on board.

The yacht suffered damage from both the grounding and contact with the mangroves.

Vilka told authorities he didn’t speak English, so the Department of Homeland Security sent a Russian interpreter. Through the interpreter, he admitted to stealing the yacht but gave no clear explanation for his actions.

Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said Vilka did not provide answers about where he came from, why he stole the vessel, or where he intended to go.

However, deputies believe he was planning to reach the St. Lucie Inlet, about eight miles north, and then flee to the Bahamas.

One possible theory, officials said, is that the yacht may have been intended for smuggling operations into the U.S., given its large fuel capacity.

Officials called the case “bizarre,” especially considering Vilka’s apparent knowledge of the complex systems required to operate a vessel of that size.

According to investigators, Vilka entered the United States in December 2022, after flying with his wife and child from Turkey to Mexico, then crossing the U.S. border to seek asylum.

His family later settled in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Vilka was issued a driver’s license. His wife and child flew back to Russia on April 30, just days before the yacht theft.

Authorities said Vilka had been living in his car in the days leading up to the incident. His vehicle, which was left in a valet lot, has since been towed to an undisclosed location by the property owner. Officials stated that Vilka had no cellphone on him at the time of arrest.

Vilka now faces multiple charges, including grand theft of a motor vehicle, aggravated fleeing and eluding, and resisting arrest without violence.

Additional charges related to the earlier towboat theft in Jupiter are expected. He is currently being held without bond.

The Department of Homeland Security is involved in the ongoing investigation. Sheriff Budensiek told local media that Vilka will likely be deported to Russia after serving any sentence in the U.S.

References: nbcmiami, miamiherald

Source: Maritime Shipping News