SAN ANGELO, TX — “I get stuff stolen from here all the time,” explained Wayne Nickell, the owner of Concho Cruises, a boat rental and charter business at Mary E. Lee Park, 2160 Mary E. Lee Road. Tuesday night, Nickell said the San Angelo Police Lake Division officers notified him that one of his pontoon paddleboats was missing.
“I appreciate police looking after my place like that,” Nickell said.
San Angelo lake patrol police quickly found the pontoon paddleboat that appeared to be across the lake from Mary E. Lee Park, near residences off Red Bluff Rd. after 1 a.m. That’s where LIVE! saw a police patrol boat spotlighting the water early Wednesday morning.
According to San Angelo police, while searching the water for drowning victims, information led them to believe there were two suspects who took the pontoon paddleboat for a joy ride in the late evening.
“I heard it was a boy and a girl,” Nickell said. He was uncertain about the age of the suspects. Perhaps it was a criminal attempt for a late night romantic excursion onto the lake?
What ensued was a search and rescue operation for several hours from about 1 a.m. by lake patrol. Luckily, police didn’t find any drowning victims, instead their investigation led them to a residence where the suspects were found unharmed.
Nickell said the pontoon paddleboats are a popular rental item for lake recreation. They seat four and are powered by peddling the paddles. They are great for heading out onto the middle of the lake, dropping anchor, and swimming. Nickell said they rent for about $240 for an 8-hour day.
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