Fort Myers man accused of stealing boat from Marathon found stranded in Everglades National Park

A Fort Myers man accused of stealing a boat from a Marathon home on Saturday was caught in the Everglades National Park on Tuesday. According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Dustin Southwick, 32, stole a 26-foot Edgewater boat from a residential dock on 85th Street in Marathon on Saturday before it was found by the U.S. Park Service beached along a shoreline at around 11 a.m. on Tuesday. A witness notified the U.S. Coast Guard and law enforcement that Southwick was present on the shoreline. Law enforcement made contact with Southwick, who told officers that the boat had run out of fuel, which caused him to beach it. Southwick said he had been surviving on crackers, water, and electrolyte drinks while stranded, MCSO said. No life-threatening injuries were reported. Southwick faces a charge of grand theft, and MCSO said that additional charges may be added. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.