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Miami Herald
06-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Russian man given US asylum caught with stolen $2.5 million yacht, FL cops say
Florida Russian man given US asylum caught with stolen $2.5 million yacht, FL cops say Video released by the sheriff's office shows multiple patrol boats with armed deputies surrounded the yacht and brought it to a stop. Martin County Sheriff's Office photo A Russian man with a North Carolina address is at the center of a 'bizarre' grand theft case involving two boats stolen within hours of each other in Florida, including a $2.5 million luxury yacht, according to investigators. Nikolai Vilka was arrested Monday, May 5, during a dramatic boat chase that ended when multiple patrol boats combined forces to shove the 68-foot yacht into the mangroves, Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said at a news conference. Vilka, whose last known address is in Charlotte, told investigators he does not speak English, prompting the Department of Homeland Security to provide a Russian interpreter, officials said. The 29-year-old is accused starting the crime spree around 2 a.m. Monday, May 5, by stealing a tow boat that became stuck on a sandbar, officials said. Then, around 3:55 p.m. Monday, Vilka reappeared along the Blowing Rocks Marina near Tequesta, where he took the three-story yacht from its berth, the sheriff's office said. A dock master was first to suspect something was amiss and confirmed with the boat's captain that it was not scheduled to go out to sea that day, officials said. 'We started trying to piece it together because the information was really quite bizarre to us,' Budensiek said. 'We thought initially the vessel was being repossessed, which we have occasionally. We found out that is not the case. The vessel is actually paid for.' The yacht was seen making its way northbound, up the Intracoastal Waterway, toward the Hope Sound area, he said. The Hope Sound bridge was then 'locked down' to try and pin the yacht in, but Vilka began using the yacht to push against the bridge's pilings, Budensiek said. 'We made the decision to open the bridge so the boat ... didn't cause any damage to the bridge,' he said. It was about a quarter of a mile north of the bridge that deputies noticed Vilka was having trouble maneuvering the yacht, and they came up with a plan 'of beaching' the vessel against mangrove trees, he said. Vilka refused to surrender when deputies boarded the boat, and tear gas was used to force him to come out, officials said. The suspect appeared to have trouble maneuvering the 68-foot boat in the Intracoastal Waterway, and that allowed deputies to force it into the mangroves, officials said. Martin County Sheriff's Office photo A motive has yet to be revealed. However, one theory is that the yacht was being taken to the Bahamas, where it could be used for smuggling into the United States, Budensiek said. The boat has sufficient fuel capacity to make such a trip, officials said. 'He answered questions to a degree (through a translator). He did admit to stealing the vessel, but nothing that was overly insightful for us. We want to know where you came from, why you stole the vessel, where he was going with the vessel and what were you going to do with the vessel,' Budensiek said. 'Those questions did not get answered.' It's also a mystery how he knew the 'complex process' needed to launch a boat of that size, officials said. Federal officials have confirmed Vilka is a Russian national who flew with his wife and child from Turkey to Mexico in November 2022, then crossed the U.S. border in December, officials said. Vilka's driver's license confirmed the family had settled in Charlotte for reasons not yet known. Charlotte is a 640-mile drive north from Martin County. A dramatic boat chase along Florida's Intracoastal Waterway took a strange turn when deputies discovered it was being piloted by a Russian National who does not speak English, according to investigators. Video screengrab On April 30, 2024, his wife and child flew back to Russia for unknown reasons, officials said. His whereabouts are vague after that, including why he was in Florida, officials said. He told an interpreter he was sleeping in his car in the days before his arrest. Vilka has been charged with grand theft of a motor vehicle (a $2.5 million vessel), aggravated fleeing and eluding, and resisting arrest without violence. He is being held without bond, officials said. Additional charges are expected in connection with the theft of the towboat theft in Jupiter, officials say. He was unarmed when arrested, with only a change of clothes on the yacht, officials said. He had no cell phone, and his car was left in a valet parking area and was towed by the property owner to an undisclosed location. Martin County is about a 105-mile drive north from Miami along state's Atlantic Coast. This story was originally published May 6, 2025 at 4:56 PM. MP Mark Price The Charlotte Observer Go to X Go to Facebook Email this person 704-358-5149 Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.
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.
