New Details: Russian national caught in yacht heist, placed on ICE detainer

HOBE SOUND, Fla. (CBS12) — Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek provided an update on Tuesday after a luxury yacht was stolen, leading law enforcement on a chase down the Intracoastal Waterway.

Russian national, 29-year-old Nikolai Vilkov, has been arrested for grand theft of a motor vehicle after allegedly stealing a 68-foot yacht in Florida. The sheriff mentioned that this isn't the first instance involving Vilkov and boats.

Sheriff Budensiek said early Sunday morning, a TowBoat US vessel was reported stolen near the Jupiter Inlet. The suspect, Vilkov, was later found by Jupiter Police Department officers walking along US 1 around 3 a.m., but the boat was never recovered.

Vilkov reportedly told authorities he had been sleeping on a vessel in the area.

The Sheriff's Office said by Monday afternoon, Vilkov was seen at a marina in Hobe Sound, interacting with individuals and preparing the yacht for launch. Witnesses observed him on the yacht, which was not scheduled to leave the dock. The Dock Master alerted the vessel's captain, who confirmed he was not aboard, prompting a 911 call.

Authorities, including multiple marine units and the aviation unit, tracked the yacht as it traveled northbound up the Intracoastal Waterway. The vessel was eventually disabled by marine deputies who pushed it into the mangroves. SWAT operators deployed tear gas to apprehend Vilkov, who was taken into custody without further incident.

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Sheriff's officials said Vilkov initially claimed to speak only Russian but later admitted to stealing the yacht. Homeland Security provided a Russian interpreter for the interview, during which Vilkov was caught in several lies. Authorities are investigating Vilkov's background, noting he entered the U.S. from Mexico in December 2022 with his family, who have since returned to Russia.

Vilkov faces additional counts, including aggravated fleeing and eluding, and resisting arrest without violence. He is being held without bond and has an ICE detainer, meaning he will be deported after serving his sentence. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities seeking information from the public about Vilkov's activities and connections in the area.

CBS12 spoke to the owner of the stolen yacht who thanked Martin County Sheriff's Office for retrieving it. "I'd just like to thank Sheriff Budensiek, the Martin County Sheriff's Department, for their quick response and excellent police work in recovering the vessel."

While there is over $100,000 in damage, the owner is just happy no one was hurt.

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