Sarnia police allege a Toronto man illegally crossed into the U.S., on the St. Clair River, by renting a Sea-Doo.
They says officers were called for a report of a missing man on personal watercraft rental in Sarnia around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Upon further investigation, police say the 40-year-old man rented a Sea-Doo on the Canadian side of the river with cash at 6:45 p.m., with a return time scheduled for 7:45 p.m.
When the rental facility contacted him, police say he apologized for being late and provided “questionable excuses,” indicating he was only 10 minutes away.
When he failed to show again, a second call was made around 8:20 p.m., and the man once again said he was close. More calls were made but he never answered, police say.
U.S. Coast Guard found the Sea-Doo a few hours later on the Michigan shore south of Sarnia, according to authorities.
Emergency services combed the water and areas on both sides of the border but have yet to locate the man.
“It is believed that [the man] was successful in conducting an illegal border crossing,” Sarnia police said in an online statement.
“U.S. Customs and Immigration were notified and are investigating this incident.”
