Latest news with #NikolaiVilka
American Military News
09-05-2025
- American Military News
Russian national arrested after stealing $2.5 million yacht, forcing police chase
Police officials confirmed on Monday that the Department of Homeland Security was aiding a police investigation after a Russian national stole a $2.5 million yacht in Florida. In a Monday statement on Facebook, the Martin County Sheriff's Office announced that it had 'identified the individual who stole a 66-foot luxury yacht from a Tequesta marina as Nikolai Vilka, a Russian national.' The Martin County Sheriff's Office explained that the Department of Homeland Security was 'en route' to the sheriff's office with a Russian interpreter to help with the investigation since the Russian national claimed that he was not able to speak English. 'Earlier this evening, Vilka stole the yacht from Blowing Rocks Marina and attempted to flee from deputies through the Intracoastal Waterway,' the Martin County Sheriff's Office said. 'The dockmaster reported the vessel stolen, prompting a swift and coordinated response. Ground units, marine units, and MCSO Air One assisted in the pursuit.' READ MORE: Pics: Two shipwrecks confirmed as slave ships by archaeologists Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek explained that police officials were notified at roughly 4 p.m. on Monday that a 68-foot yacht had been stolen. 'This is a first for me and a first for the Sheriff's Office that I'm aware of where we had a situation like this,' Budensiek told WPBF 25 News. 'Because it's such an unbelievable story, we started reaching out and trying to find out if this is a repo deal or if there was somebody allowed to use this vessel.' After confirming that the yacht was likely stolen, sheriff's deputies were dispatched in multiple ships to chase the stolen yacht. Budensiek told WPBF 25 News that the chase was difficult because the sheriff's deputies had much smaller boats. 'They're lower. They're looking up. They can't tell what they're looking at,' Budensiek stated. 'And had he had the firepower, he could have caused problems for our deputies.' WPBF 25 News reported that Budensiek said the Russian national did not have a weapon and that no shots were fired during the chase. Budensiek explained that the deputies were eventually able to catch up with the stolen vessel. 'They were bowing to the side of that vessel and just shoved him as he was trying to get forward momentum. They just shoved him up into the mangroves,' Budensiek said. 'They grounded him to where he could not move forward anymore.' 'We're investigating the fact that it's part of a larger organization,' the sheriff added. 'You know, a Russian coming into South Martin County and stealing a 68-foot, $2,500,000 yacht is just not something that you see.'
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Bizarre moment Russian man steals huge YACHT and tries to flee from Florida cops down waterway
A Russian national stole a 66-foot luxury yacht and fled through Florida waters in a chaotic attempt to evade arrest, police said. Nikolai Vilka reportedly hijacked a yacht from the Blowing Rocks Marina in Tequesta on Monday after 5:30pm. The Martin County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) probed the area, quickly spotting the vessel cruising through the Intracoastal Waterway in the Hobe Sound area. Law enforcement leaped into action - with the MCSO sharing a video of the moment authorities urgently moved their search efforts into the water and sailed off towards the yacht. Follow-up footage posted just minutes later showed the stolen vessel surrounded by police boats, staffed with various agencies, ready to catch the culprit. Police swarmed the yacht, located Vilka, and took him back to shore in handcuffs. Photos from the bizarre ordeal show the suspect with his head down and legs crossed as he sat on the floor of the patrol boat. Vilka claimed he cannot speak English, so the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sent an interpreter to aid the MCSO's investigation. has reached out to the sheriff's office about what charges Vilka faces. A spokesperson responded, saying more information will be released this afternoon. It is unclear what prompted Vilka to allegedly attempt the daylight robbery of the large yacht. 'Lol this is so funny to me. What was he thinking?! What did he plan to do with a multi-million dollar stolen luxury yacht,' one Floridian wrote on Facebook. Another asked: 'He really thought he could get away with that?' Thousands of other commenters on the MSCO's post shared baffled reactions to Vilka's arrest, many wondering what his exit strategy. Others praised police efforts to swiftly de-escalate the situation and return the yacht to its rightful owner. The exact type of boat that was stolen is unclear, but yachts between 50 and 70 feet long tend to go from anywhere from $2 million to $6 million, Galati Yacht Sales reported. Vilka is not the only man who has gone to great length to escape police in Florida waters. Last May, a boat-thief disguised himself as a woman in a hilarious wig and dress to evade cops after an alleged boat theft. Joshua Kolotka, 33, was spotted leaving a house dressed as woman while deputies were investigating a theft in Lakeport last Wednesday, according to the Glade County Sheriff's Office. The 33-year-old man is seen sporting a white cardigan on top of a blue patterned midi dress, sunglasses, and a hilarious blonde short wig in a photo shared by the sheriff's office. The investigation stemmed from a recovered stolen boat located at the Old Caloosa Lodge in Lakeport. But when deputies started canvassing the area in search for the suspect, described as a 33-year-old white male, they stumbled upon a peculiar scene. 'They observed Joshua Kolotka exiting a residence dressed as a woman in an attempt to disguise himself,' the sheriff's office wrote in a release. He was arrested for two Okeechobee County warrants, along with the theft of a John Deere Gator and the stolen boat.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man accused of stealing yacht in Martin County after chase on Intracoastal
MARTIN COUNTY — The Sheriff's Office pursued a luxury yacht reported stolen that was traveling along the Intracoastal Waterway in the Hobe Sound area on May 5, according to sheriff's officials. The Martin County Sheriff's Office in pursuit of a stolen luxury yacht on May 5, 2025. The Department of Homeland Security assisted in the investigation. The 66-foot yacht was stolen from Blowing Rocks Marina in Tequesta earlier that evening, sheriff's officials said. The yacht was boarded by Nikolai Vilka, a Russian national, who attempted to flee from deputies through the Intracoastal Waterway, sheriff's officials stated on Facebook. The dockmaster reported the yacht stolen and Martin County ground units, marine units, and a helicopter were in pursuit. SWAT team members and criminal investigations detectives were also on the scene. Stuart: Police issue over 30 parking tickets during Costco's opening weekend Martin County: Sheriff's Office launches new 911 live video calling system The yacht was boarded and Vilka was removed and taken into custody. Vilka told law enforcement officials he did not speak English, so the Department of Homeland Security brought a Russian interpreter to the Martin County Sheriff's Office to assist with the investigation. This story will be updated. Olivia Franklin is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Olivia on X @Livvvvv_5 or reach her by phone at 317-627-8048. E-mail her at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Accused yacht thief in custody after MCSO chases on Intracoastal
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Florida yacht theft: Russian national sparks multi-agency pursuit after stealing luxury boat, deputies say
The Brief A Russian man was arrested after allegedly stealing a 66-foot yacht from a Tequesta marina and fleeing through the Intracoastal Waterway. Authorities pursued the vessel by land, air, and sea before detaining the suspect, who claims he does not speak English. The motive and whether he acted alone remain unknown as Homeland Security joins the ongoing investigation. ORLANDO, Fla. - A Russian man was arrested after allegedly stealing a 66-foot yacht from a Tequesta marina and fleeing through the Intracoastal Waterway. Ground units, marine units, the SWAT team apprehended suspect What we know Authorities in Martin County are investigating a high-profile yacht theft after a 66-foot luxury vessel was stolen from Blowing Rocks Marina in Tequesta. The suspect, identified as Nikolai Vilka, a Russian national, attempted to evade law enforcement by piloting the stolen yacht through the Intracoastal Waterway near Hobe Sound. The Martin County Sheriff's Office quickly launched a coordinated response, deploying ground units, marine units, the SWAT team, criminal investigations detectives, and aerial support from MCSO Air One. Vilka was apprehended after the pursuit, though the precise circumstances of his arrest have not been detailed. He reportedly told deputies he does not speak English, prompting officials to contact the Department of Homeland Security, which is now en route with a Russian interpreter. What we don't know Authorities have not yet released information regarding Vilka's motives or whether he acted alone. It's unclear how he gained access to the yacht or whether there was any prior planning involved. The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement has not commented on whether any charges have formally been filed or if federal agencies beyond Homeland Security will take jurisdiction, given the suspect's nationality and the nature of the crime. The backstory The incident began earlier in the evening when staff at Blowing Rocks Marina in Tequesta noticed the yacht had gone missing. A dockmaster quickly reported the theft, prompting the Martin County Sheriff's Office to respond with urgency. The yacht was spotted traveling north along the Intracoastal Waterway, with deputies in active pursuit. The sheriff's office mobilized a range of tactical and investigative units in response, reflecting the seriousness of the situation. The Martin County Sheriff's Office has not issued detailed public comments beyond confirming the suspect's identity and stating that a Russian interpreter is being brought in to assist with the investigation. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Martin County Sheriff's Office.
