Man arrested by Coast Guard trying to cross Atlantic in human hamster wheel

06 September 2023 , 05:52

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Baluchi was reportedly unable to provide officials with any registration for his odd water vehicle and informed officials that he was running in his hamster wheel all the way to London (Image: USCG Southeast)

A man was arrested by Coast Guard as he attempted to run 4.500 miles across the Atlantic in human-sized hamster wheel.

Reza Baluchi, 44, was rescued 70 miles off the coast of Tybee Island, Georgia, by Coast Guard officials. Baluchi was found on August 26 in his bizarre hamster wheel made from twisted wire and buoys - claiming he was attempting to wheel to London, England.

The USCG filed a criminal complaint against the adventurer, stating : "Based on the condition of the vessel – which was afloat as a result of wiring and buoys – USCG officers determined Baluchi was conducting a manifestly unsafe voyage " adding that the "manifesting unsafe" vessel was a giant metal drum, with inflatable buoys on each side and paddles that are powered by a runner inside.

Baluchi, from Florida, was reportedly unable to provide officials with any registration for his odd water vehicle and informed officials that he was running in his hamster wheel all the way to London, England. When Coast Guard officers told Baluchi they were cutting his voyage short, he reportedly threatened to kill himself with a 12-inch knife if anyone tried to apprehend him, and claimed to have a bomb aboard, according to the complaint.

When Coast Guard officers told Baluchi they were cutting his voyage short, he reportedly threatened to kill himself with a 12-inch knife (Flagler County Sheriff's Office)

After multiple days of trying to get Baluchi onto a Coast Guard rescue vessels, he admitted that he did not have a real bomb and on September 1 officers were able to get him to disembark at the USCG Base in Miami Beach.

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According to an interview with FOX 35, Baluchi efforts were meant to raise money for various charitable causes, including "homeless people,", police and fire departments. He said: "My goal is to not only raise money for homeless people, raise money for the Coast Guard, raise money for the police department, raise money for the fire department. They are in public service, they do it for safety, and they help other people."

Baluchi was found on August 26 in his bizarre hamster wheel made from twisted wire and buoys (Flagler County Sheriff's Office)

Court documents claimed it was not Baluchi's his first attempt to run on water in his hamster wheel. Officials said he attempted similar voyages in 2014, 2016 and 2021, all of which have ended with Coast Guard intervention.

He now faces charges including obstruction of a boarding and violation of a Captain of the Port order.

Abigail O'Leary