A would-be thief had to be rescued by police after an alleged attempted alcohol raid left her stranded on a boat anchored off Capel Sound on Thursday night.
Police say they were called to reports of two intoxicated people paddling out to a boat moored about 200m offshore around 7.30pm.
It’s alleged the pair ransacked the boat looking for alcohol but after coming up empty-handed, the 59-year-old man abandoned the search and managed to swim safely back to the beach.
“The 46-year-old woman decided she was too drunk to make it back to shore so stayed aboard,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
“Concerned for the woman’s safety after receiving reports that she was seen clinging to the back of the boat, a police officer stripped to his undies and swam out to the boat.
“When the woman questioned who the dripping wet man was who climbed aboard, she was shocked to discover it was a policeman who promptly read her her rights and assisted her to shore.”
Police say a search of the woman’s handbag, which she had abandoned on the shore, allegedly located methamphetamines, cannabis and Valium tablets.
She was charged with three counts of possess drug of dependence, being drunk and disorderly in a public place, tamper with a vessel, attempt to take charge of a vessel while under the influence of liquor and commit indictable offence while on bail.
The Rosebud woman was remanded in custody to appear before Frankston Magistrates’ Court this morning.
The 59-year-old man is expected to receive a fine for illegal use of a vehicle.
