South San Francisco PD
A white sailboat named "Unleashed" is shown in a photo before it was allegedly stolen.
By NBCBayArea.com
Updated at 12:15 a.m. ET:?Two children believed to have been abducted by their father from South San Francisco were rescued by the Coast Guard after authorities spent most of the day tracking a stolen sailboat, NBCBayArea.com reported.
Authorities say the sailboat named "Unleashed'' was spotted off the San Mateo County coast three days after 43-year-old Christopher Maffei allegedly abducted his 3-year-old daughter, Brooklynn, and 2-year-old son, Devin, from their mother's home.
?
?
Stay informed with the latest headlines; sign up for our newsletter
?
Police said their investigation determined that Maffei drove to Ballena Isle Marina in Alameda where he stole a 40-foot yacht and sailed away with the two children. The rental car was found abandoned in the parking lot of the marina and towed for evidence.
A commercial fisherman contacted police to say he had spotted the sailboat about 50 miles off Pillar Point at about 4 a.m. Thursday, NBCBayArea.com reported.?By 11 a.m., a C-130 helicopter was hovering around the yacht.
South San Francisco PD
Police believe Christopher Maffei kidnapped his two children, Brooklynn and Devin, and took them aboard a stolen yacht.
?They?re observing the yacht right now, and making a plan,? South San Francisco Sgt. Bruce McPhillips told NBC News.
A cutter from Treasure Island was closing in on?the boat, officials said Friday afternoon.
Maffei?s white Ford Fusion rental car?was found abandoned?in the parking lot of the Ballena Isle Marina in Alameda, where the yacht was berthed, according to police.
The boat is named "Unleashed" and has "San Francisco, CA" painted on the stern.?
Watch the most-viewed videos on NBCNews.com
Brooklynn was last seen wearing a white, sleeveless dress with blue and green designs. Devin was wearing a short-sleeved "Sponge Bob SquarePants" shirt and a diaper, the San Jose Mercury News reported.?
Maffei has said in the past that he would like to sail to Monterey or Mexico, according to police. State, county and federal agencies have been alerted to watch for Maffei, the yacht and the two children.?
Authorities say Maffei had been to the harbor two weeks earlier to inquire about purchasing the boat.
Devin Maffei, 2, left, and Brooklynn Maffei, 4, were abducted by their father Christopher Maffei on Sept. 4, according to South San Francisco Police.
More content from NBCNews.com:
Follow US News from NBCNews.com on?Twitter?and?Facebook
?
?
proposition 8 ricky martin chauncey billups caucus results exton ricky williams kurt warner
No comments:
Post a Comment