Man’s jet ski joyride ends in arrest

A man joyrode several jet skis he stole from multiple locations on the Parker Strip Wednesday before being arrested by a Sheriff’s Sergeant with the help of Buckskin Fire Department.

Sergeant S. Maya from the La Paz County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to the area of Moovalya Keys north of Parker for a theft of a jet ski.

Upon his arrival, he learned that an unknown suspect or suspects had allegedly been stealing personal watercraft from homes along the river, joyriding for a period of time, stealing another jet ski and then swapping out, leaving the previously stolen one behind.

While Sergeant Maya was collecting the jet skis at the Sheriff’s Boating Safety Center and assisting the victims, the suspect traveled past in another stolen watercraft. Not having access to one of the Sheriff’s Patrol Vessels, the Buckskin Fire Department stepped up in their boat and offered to assist Sergeant Maya with apprehending the suspect, according to a Sheriff’s Department statement posted to Facebook.

They located the suspect walking away from the Roadrunner Floating Bar towards the alleged stolen jet ski. Sergeant Maya immediately exited the Buckskin watercraft and took the suspect into custody, identifying him as California resident Tony Brasil.

While preparing to transport Brasil back to the Boating Safety Center, Sergeant Maya was approached by a staff member from the Roadrunner Bar. At that time, he learned that the suspect, Brasil, had allegedly ordered food, drinks and cigarettes and then walked back to the stolen jet ski without paying.

Brasil was booked into the La Paz County Detention Facility for several counts of theft and evading arrest on a watercraft. He will be seen at the Parker Justice Court today for his initial appearance.

“I would like to point out what a great job Sergeant Maya did on this case,” said Sheriff’s Captain Curt Bagby in the statement. “He was able to improvise to make the arrest and ensure our local victims were reunited with their property. I would also like to thank the Buckskin Fire Department, Firefighters Weatherford and Kowolski, for their assistance in this matter.”