A North Fort Myers man rescued from a burning vessel pushed a good Samaritan overboard and later fled in the rescue boat, authorities say.
Ryan Deiter, 40, faces charges of grand theft, resisting without violence and boating under the influence.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, on March 6 its officers and local law enforcement responded to a boating incident in Marco Island.
The FWC said in a news release that preliminary information indicated a Sea Tow captain responded to a vessel fire near Marco Island and rescued Deiter, bringing him aboard the tow boat.
Once aboard, authorities said, Deiter pushed the Sea Tow captain overboard, fled with the boat and later grounded it on a nearby shoal before fleeing on foot into nearby mangroves.
Authorities from multiple agencies found and arrested Deiter.
Deiter, who was arrested March 7, remained in custody March 10. No bond information was available by publication.
Court records indicate his arraignment is March 30 for the separate charges.
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: Rescued boater who pushed good Samaritan overboard, arrested
Reporting by Tomas Rodriguez, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
