A man accused of driving out of the Bridge Marina yard with a stolen boat, outboard and trailer, was stopped by police after he was seen driving through Te Puke.

'A friend of ours was driving through Te Puke and saw it and thought Bruce must be working at the lakes,” says Lucy Goodchap.

The brand new trailer leaves the yard.

The security camera photographed the man leaving the yard at 7.21am, only minutes before proprietor Bruce Goodchap arrived at 7.24am.

He was directed to the travel lift office after asking if his red boat was ready, says Lucy.

The man then hooked up the inflatable workboat, outboard and trailer, and drove out the gate.

Bruce was giving details about the boat and motor to SunLive when he was told by police it had been located at Manoeka Road west of Te Puke.

Police were called by staff at Marine and Boating BOP in Quarry road after it is alleged the man tried to sell the boat to them, says Bruce.

A 45 year old Gisborne man has been arrested, charged with the theft of the boat.