Sausalito city manager arrested 3 weeks after starting job, accused of trying to steal boat

SAUSALITO, Calif. (KGO) -- Sausalito City Manager Elaine Forbes was arrested Saturday morning on suspicion of felony burglary after authorities said she attempted to steal a boat at a Sausalito dock.

Forbes, the city's top administrator and former executive director of the Port of San Francisco, was arrested shortly before 7 a.m., according to the Marin County Sheriff's Office.

Witness Michael Lappert said he noticed unusual activity early Saturday near the docked boats.

"She was honking the horn, all these large yachts have a very loud horn because you're out in the ocean and you gotta be heard so when you honk that thing I think most people have heard what those sound like. That was going on for a good hour or two hours so it was pretty severe," Lappert said.

Witnesses told ABC7 News that Forbes was on at least two boats, including the Lisa Marie, which was docked near The Spinnaker restaurant.

The Marin County Sheriff's Office said it appeared Forbes tried to start one of the boats by "manipulating levers and switches in an attempt to steal the boat."

Authorities also said bottles of alcohol on the boats appeared to have been either consumed or poured out.

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"You wouldn't expect someone in that kind of position of responsibility to be trying to break into boats in the yacht harbor," tourist Tim Larcombe said.

In a statement, Forbes' family said she is experiencing a mental health crisis. As of late Sunday, she remained in custody.

The city had recently addressed Forbes' employment status.

A spokesperson for the City of Sausalito said the City Council met in closed session Thursday and approved a leave of absence for Forbes, but provided no additional details.

Before joining Sausalito, Forbes spent nine years as executive director of the Port of San Francisco before stepping down last year.

In a statement, the City of Sausalito said: "This is a difficult development for our City staff and our community. Because this is now an active and ongoing investigation by the Marin County Sheriff's Office, the City will not comment on the specific allegations."

On behalf of Elaine Forbes and her family, Sam Singer Public Relations released a statement writing:

"Elaine Forbes has devoted much of her life to public service and is widely respected by the many people who have worked with her over the years.

We ask that no one rush to judgment based on limited information. Elaine is experiencing a mental health crisis. As the facts become clearer and Elaine obtains legal and healthcare counsel in the coming hours and days, we hope people will respond with compassion, patience and respect for her and her family during an extraordinarily difficult time. Thank you."

Forbes previously worked for nine years as the executive director at the Port of San Francisco before stepping down last year.