Man who left dead fish at house rescued from sea after stolen boat capsizes
A man who left a dead fish at a house had to be rescued from choppy seas after his stolen boat capsized.
Jericho Labonte, 35, from Victoria, British Columbia, was arrested on Friday after dozens of people came forward and identified the suspect after he fell into the mouth of the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington, US.
Police became alert on Wednesday after Mr Labonte uploaded a video on Facebook showing him place a dead fish on the porch of the 1985 Steven Spielberg film "The Goonies" house.
But it wasn't until the US Coast Guard posted a video of the dramatic boat rescue operation on Friday, the suspect was soon revealed.
According to police, Mr Labonte allegedly stole the boat after he launched an urgent "mayday" call.
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Jericho Labonte allegedly stole a boat which capsized during choppy waters (CBS News)
The heroic swimmer was hit by a huge wave but still managed to save the suspect (USCGPacificNW/Twitter)The suspect was wanted on allegations of theft, endangering another person, unauthorised use of a vehicle, and criminal mischief.
However, some of the allegations are from preexisting cases in British Columbia, Astoria Police Chief Stacy Kelly said.
Footage of the US Coast Guard rescue shows a person, later found out to be Mr Labonte, on a 35ft vessel alone.
He put out a mayday call after water started to flood the vessel during stormy conditions as a rescue swimmer runs towards them.
However, he got wiped out by a huge wave, which measured as high as 20ft on Friday.
The Coast Guard received a "Mayday" call from a boat struggling in the water (USCGPacificNW/Twitter)
The boat was flooded with water after being hit by huge waves (USCGPacificNW/Twitter)But as he waited for the rescue swimmer, Mr Labonte soon went overboard and the boat capsized.
Moments later, the rescue swimmer recovered and went under the wave and emerged to grab the 35-year-old, according to the Coast Guard.
A rescue helicopter then hoisted the pair to safety and away from the choppy seas.
But just hours later the Port of Astoria security chief informed cops the yacht had been stolen.
Concerned residents also called police to make them aware of the alleged suspect.
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He was rescued and taken to hospital for treatment (USCGPacificNW/Twitter)Before he was identified as a suspect, Mr Labonte had been released from Columbia Memorial Hospital after receiving treatment for his injuries.
Police later found him 17 miles south of Astoria in Seaside, Oregon, at a warming centre, according to authorities.
The Victorian "Goonies" house was purchased in January by millionaire super fan Behman Zakeri for $1.65m (£1.47 million).
He claimed he purchased the property so film fans can visit and take selfies of the famous house for years to come.
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