Swimmer tried to steal 12 ton, 44-foot yacht by towing it behind him

26-year-old Austin resident, Phillip Beach, was arrested in Seabrook near Galveston, Texas, on Friday after the harbor master in the nearby shipyard alerted local police to what appeared to be a theft in progress.

When police arrived, they saw Beach swimming in the channel tethered to a 44-foot sailboat named the Flying Pearl that he was attempted to tow behind him as he swam for deeper water.

Seabrook police confirmed they found Beach swimming in the channel, trying to pull the 44-foot, 12-ton sailboat behind him.

They spent more than an hour coaxing him out of the water. The boat's value is estimated at $120,000. Beach was arrested and charged with felony theft.

There's a news video here.