Stolen Boat Returned to Soldier's Family

By Darren Brown, News9.com INsite team

SPRINGER, Okla. -- Tim Metzger can recall many happy Christmas memories, but none of them involved a stolen boat, until now.

It was around Thanksgiving when his son's boat was stolen from his driveway.  The theft was even more heartbreaking because Metzger's son Jason had bought the boat online while he was deployed in Iraq just a few months earlier.

But another holiday brought another chapter in this holiday story.

A local organization had heard about Jason's story, and knew they had to help.  It turns out someone had donated a fishing boat to them, and they thought the Metzgers could get better use out of it.

At the same time, the Carter and Johnston County Sheriff's departments were closing in on the thief.  The boat, and all the fishing tackle inside, were found in Mannsville, Oklahoma.

"I wasn't the only one that got their property stolen," Metzger said.  "There was some other individuals, and when I went down to get the boat, they were getting their property back too."

The problem is, what do you do with two fishing boats? 

"The one that they donated we're gonna use to go fishing in January," Metzger said.  "We'll be fishing as long as there's no ice."

Metzger and his son hope to get the original boat repaired soon.  And whichever one they decide to sell, they plan to give the earnings back to their "secret" donors.

"I've tried to raise my children to pay forward, always do good to others, treat people how you want to be treated," Said Metzger.  "Never steal or rob.  Work hard for your money, and good things will happen."

This is actually the SECOND part of the story.  Watch and the read the first part, 'Thieves Spoil Soldier's Homecoming' by clicking HERE.