Illinois man charged after alleged boat theft in McCracken County

MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. – An Illinois man is facing charges in an alleged boat theft in McCracken County.

According to a social media post by the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were notified by a local business on May 19 regarding a boat purchase made with a bad check.

Authorities say they learned the male subject had presented a check in the amount of nearly $160,000 for a 2023 Tige boat purchase. Several days later, deputies say the business was informed the funds were insufficient.

The sheriff’s office states that it was contacted by a manager, who stated he had been contacted by a citizen in Illinois. The citizen was asking about the boat and was familiar with the operator, according to deputies.

Authorities say they learned the boat had been seen on Rend Lake in Illinois about 20 to 30 minutes before the citizen called.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies spoke to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and shared the information about the stolen boat.

Deputies say they learned the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office was familiar with the boat and the male operating it.

Franklin County law enforcement located the boat at a marina and later found the suspect and the trailer, authorities say.

Twenty-four-year-old Travis Riechman of Benton, Illinois was taken into custody by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for the Illinois charge of possession of a stolen vehicle. The boat and trailer were then obtained for the business.

Authorities say more charges are possible in the case.

The McCracken County Sheriff’s Office was additonally assisted by Paducah E-911 Dispatch and Franklin County Dispatch.