Police are urging the public to keep their valuables safe as opportunistic criminals target water users over the summer period.
Their call comes after two boats were stolen from their moorings in Busselton and Dunsborough between Tuesday, January 15, and Thursday, January 18.
One was driven from Busselton to Dunsborough, while the other was driven from Dunsborough to Busselton and left adrift once it ran out of fuel.
Police believe the same person is responsible for both crimes and a third incident in Siesta Park.
In this case, a third moored boat was boarded and raided, with more than $3000 worth of gear stolen from it.
The perpetrators also damaged the ignition of the $80,000 boat when they tried to start it.
Boat owner, Justin Pieroni, is a former Busselton resident and visits the region often.
He has moored his boat at the location for five years with no problems.
“I guess I’ve just been too trusting of people, I’m very disappointed - it sucks,” he said.
“Now everything will be harder to do, we have to take everything off the boat or not go out at all.”
Ten fishing rods, valued from $200 to $450, a fishing net, and even a dirty old burley bucket were among the items stolen.
The boat is insured, but the items were not.
Mr Pieroni is offering a reward for the return of his gear.
He said the incident had put a dampener on his family’s down south holiday.
“I just can’t help but wonder if they had of got the boat started, would we have ever seen it again,” he said.
“It would probably be gone forever, or in a chop shop.
“I will definitely be worried about it happening again the next time, it will always be going on in the back of our mind. We will carry all gear from now.”
Dunsborough Police Senior Constable Kelly Player said the perpetrators were taking advantage of the trusting South West community and its visitors.
“At this time of year, people come up for events like Australia Day and set up camp, they are relaxed and get comfortable, they leave things on the beach, and on their boats,” she said.
“They become targets and to help prevent these sorts of incidents happening, we ask people to remove all their valuables off their boats and be vigilant.
“We also want people to keep their eyes out for suspicious behaviour along the coast. If you see people along the beach in hoodies, tracksuits and jackets, that is not normal beach attire. If you see anything suspicious like this, please let us know.”
Police are calling for any witnesses who may have seen the stolen boats or suspicious behaviour around moored boats between January 15 and 17.
If you have information about the abovementioned incidents or see something suspicious, call Dunsborough Police on 9781 3030, Busselton Police on 9754 9555 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.