Victoria man arrested in U.S. after capsizing yacht and leaving dead fish at ‘Goonies’ house
Posted February 5, 2023 12:45 pm.
Last Updated February 6, 2023 8:25 am.
A Victoria man who was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard after capsizing a stolen yacht at the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon has now been arrested for stealing the yacht, and leaving a dead fish at the Astoria home featured in “The Goonies”.
Before heading stateside, 35-year-old Jericho Labonte was wanted on a B.C. wide warrant for criminal harassment, mischief, and three counts of failure to comply. Now he’s facing charges of theft, endangering another person, unauthorized use of a vehicle and mischief in Oregon.
(1/4) #BreakingNews – Talk about arriving in the nick of time! While conducting a training mission at the mouth of the Columbia River, 2 Coast Guard air crews received a #MAYDAY broadcast from the master of the P/C Sandpiper. After notifying watchstanders at Sector Columbia River pic.twitter.com/CtYSgpdPUG
— USCGPacificNorthwest (@USCGPacificNW) February 3, 2023
The U.S. Coast Guard says it rescued Labonte on Friday after the 35-foot vessel he was piloting was capsized by a breaking wave. Labonte was flung from the yacht when it rolled, but was saved by Coast Guard swimmer John “Branch” Walton. The rescue was a first for Walton, who was student of the Advanced Helicopter Rescue School.
“Hours later, he and his classmates graduated from the Advanced Rescue Helicopter School,” the Coast Guard said.
Jericho Labonte was taken into custody at the Seaside Warming Center after stealing a yacht from the Port of Astoria and eventually sinking it. (Courtesy: Astoria 911 Dispatch)
Labonte taken to hospital and treated for minor injuries and later discharged.
That’s when officers from the Astoria Police Department came looking for Labonte, explaining the yacht had been stolen and Labonte was wanted for leaving a dead fish on the porch of “The Goonies” house and filming himself dancing around the property.
Police later found Labonte at a warming shelter in Astoria and took him into custody.
“It’s been a really odd 48 hours,” Astoria police Chief Stacy Kelly said.
At this point, it’s not clear if Labonte will be sent back to Canada to face the charges he’s wanted on in Victoria.
– With files from the Associated Press
