VIRGINIA BEACH — A 45-year-old man is accused of stealing a boat and burglarizing a Laskin Road restaurant this week, police say.
Jason Lawrence Wirt, of the 900 block of South Oriole Circle, was arrested and charged with two counts of grand larceny, two counts of breaking and entering and possession of burglarious tools.
His arrest came after he allegedly stole a boat from Bay Venture Boat Rentals, located at 600 Laskin Road, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.
Police say a boat owner reported their vessel missing from its slip on Wednesday around 1:25 a.m. The person used their marine GPS to help police track the boat’s location, which lead to Wirt’s arrest.
He is also accused of burglarizing Americana Roadside Grill, located at 981 Laskin Road, early Sunday morning.
The restaurant, which has had a string of setbacks, reopened less than a month ago. It is the fourth restaurant to open at this location in eight years.
Police believe Wirt came into the restaurant around 4:20 a.m. and stole alcohol and cash. He would then come back to the restaurant a short time later wearing different clothes, according to the VBPD.
Employees of the restaurant noticed it had been broken into when they arrived for work at 9 a.m.
Previously, the location near the Oceanfront was The Purple Cow, Planet Pizza, and Mexican restaurant Calliente Cantina.
After closing Calliente Cantina in early June, co-owner Baxter Simmons went in a new direction with the space and opened Americana — focusing on burgers and comfort food.
Wirt is currently being held at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center.
Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to call Virginia Beach Crime Solvers at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or text “VBTIP” and your information to 274637.
Send tips to [email protected] and [email protected].
