BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A man accused of posing as a public employee to steal boat motors in several cities, including Bellingham, has been arrested.

The state Attorney General’s Office says 38-year-old Victor Matt was charged with several counts of theft and forgery in Snohomish County Superior Court.

Court documents state that Matt made a deal to buy a boat motor from Bellingham retailer Union Marine on October 31, 2023.

A store employee says Matt claimed he worked with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and paid for the motor with a fake check that appeared to be from the agency. Six other alleged thefts between October 2023 and May 2024 were detailed in the investigation by Fish and Wildlife, totaling nearly $60,000 in stolen motors. Most of the incidents were caught on surveillance footage.

If convicted, Matt faces upwards of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine for each felony count.