Followup: Victoria Clipper theft suspect actually wanted to go to Canada, police now say

(Sunday photo by MARCUS YAM/The Seattle Times; republished here with permission)
3:36 PM: Though police initially quoted Victoria Clipper theft suspect Samuel McDonough as saying he had taken the boat to go to West Seattle, new court documents tell a different tale: His intended destination was actually Victoria, B.C. Bail was set today at $200,000 for McDonough, arrested aboard the Victoria Clipper IV yesterday on his 33rd birthday, in a drama at sea visible from north-facing West Seattle. As noted in our Sunday coverage, he is a registered sex offender after indecent-exposure convictions in the past few years (all from Issaquah, according to court archives we checked); today’s documents say he was supposed to be under GPS supervision – but did not have the device on.

ADDED 4:09 PM: The probable-cause document also says McDonough told police he had a close call with a state ferry while out in the bay with the $8 million boat Sunday morning. The dock is reported to have sustained some damage because he started it up and left the dock without untying it. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has until Wednesday to file charges.

miws December 2, 2013 (4:14 pm)

What a hoser…

Mike

metrognome December 2, 2013 (4:57 pm)

at least he was wearing a life jacket, eh?

Jamma December 2, 2013 (4:59 pm)

It’s still hilarious.

Jason December 2, 2013 (5:06 pm)

Oh good he’s a sex offender, no wonder he wanted to come to West Seattle – we have the hippest flasher scene in the area right now.

McGruff December 2, 2013 (5:13 pm)

Pity we don’t hang pirates anymore!

Ms. Sparkles December 2, 2013 (5:21 pm)

…or tweaker. Looks like a tweaked out meth-head to me.

Sonoma December 2, 2013 (7:59 pm)

I think this flasher dirtbag finally got enough “exposure.” There’s a meth-head to his madness!

buckwheat December 2, 2013 (8:23 pm)

This POS should still be in prison. Disgusting…

alkidoc December 2, 2013 (8:38 pm)

Ok this makes more sense. I mean it’s still a ridiculous thing to do for sure, but you can take a much less obvious boat if you are trying for WS! Like a kayak.

Of course I’m glad no one was hurt, but I’m still enjoying the mental image of the clipper pulling up on the beach like the sea fair pirates.

DC December 2, 2013 (9:17 pm)

Alki doc- HA! Funny!

i'mcoveredinbees December 2, 2013 (9:29 pm)

Darwin award!!!

onion December 2, 2013 (9:42 pm)

The guy would be sane if he wanted to get to West Seattle, and insane if he wanted to go anywhere else.

Marc December 3, 2013 (6:53 am)

Does this have anything to do with our current traffic conditions?

Umm... December 3, 2013 (7:03 pm)

Dude looks like Skinny Pete. LOL.

Myrna December 3, 2013 (8:17 pm)

I saw the Clipper floating mid-Bay while I was having breakfast in Pike Place Market at the Sound View Cafe. Concerned that it might be in trouble I asked the waitress and to contact the Coast Guard. Not a minute later we witnessed a vessel streaming out to the larger ship and streaming back.