In broad daylight on a quiet Long Island street, Chris Montalbano discovered his $25,000 Sea-Doo personal watercraft had been stolen. According to CBS News New York, security footage from Montalbano's system disappeared for a critical three-minute window, coinciding with the time the jet ski went missing.
At first, Montalbano thought it was a prank by his son, but soon realized the watercraft was gone. A distant camera captured a hooded person hitching the jet ski to a Dodge Durango and driving away. Experts, including cybersecurity specialist Michael Graziano, suggest the use of illegal signal jammers may have disrupted the surveillance footage, though hardwired cameras can still offer protection.
NBC New York reported the theft occurred at 12:30 p.m. A silver pickup truck, believed to be involved, was briefly recorded by another camera that wasn't affected. Montalbano expressed surprise at the theft happening in daylight.
This incident is the latest in a series of high-value watercraft thefts in the area, including similar cases involving a U-Haul truck last year. Despite using a trailer lock, Montalbano's jet ski was still taken. Residents are being urged to improve their security measures, including blocking in watercraft and using hardline camera systems to prevent similar thefts.
