Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports that the Marine Unit responded to calls of a paddle craft operator in distress in the Niagara River near Unity Island August 12 around 1:30 P.M.  The unit rescued the kayaker and learned he is a Canadian citizen who stated he had permission to use the vessel but did not intend to enter U.S. waters.

The subject was turned over to U.S. Border Patrol officers who later advised the office the individual would be returned to Canada.

Sheriff’s Deputies contacted the Niagara Regional Police to return the property, and Canadian authorities informed the Sheriff’s Office that the property was stolen from a residence along the Canadian shore.

Note: the Sheriff’s Office participates in Operation Stonegarden, which is a multiagency federal operation to protect the waterways along international borders