Man Charged for Stealing Three Boats in One Day from Nashville Bass Pro Shops

Authorities say Dustin Nicholson used a pickup truck to take the boats over a 20-hour period in July 2025.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Police in Nashville, Tennessee have arrested a 32-year-old man named Dustin Nicholson for allegedly stealing three boats from a local Bass Pro Shops store over the course of a single day in July 2025. Nicholson reportedly used a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck to take the boats, which were later recovered at a property in Lewisburg. Nicholson has been charged with multiple counts of property theft and violating his probation.

Why it matters

The thefts highlight the ongoing challenge of retail crime and property theft in the Nashville area, with one shopper noting the need for increased security measures at large stores like Bass Pro Shops. Nicholson's history of past theft charges also raises questions about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in deterring repeat offenders.

The details

According to the police affidavit, Bass Pro Shops reported three of their boats missing on July 21, 2025. Detectives reviewed security footage that showed a man using a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck to take a Suntracker pontoon boat three days earlier. Further investigation revealed the same truck was used to take two other boats within a 20-hour period between July 18 and July 19, 2025. Distinct toolboxes in the truck's bed and the license plate captured on camera helped police identify the driver as Dustin Nicholson. On July 30, 2025, deputies in Marshall County found two of the stolen boats, along with multiple other stolen items, at a property in Lewisburg. The property owner cooperated with detectives and revealed that Nicholson had originally dropped the items off at her mother's residence.

  • On July 18-19, 2025, Nicholson allegedly stole two boats from Bass Pro Shops over a 20-hour period.
  • On July 21, 2025, Bass Pro Shops reported three of their boats missing.
  • On July 30, 2025, deputies in Marshall County found two of the stolen boats at a property in Lewisburg.
  • On February 17, 2026, detectives arrested Nicholson and booked him into the Downtown Detention Center.

The players

Dustin Nicholson

A 32-year-old man who has been charged with multiple counts of property theft and violating his probation for past theft charges dating back to 2022.

Bass Pro Shops

A large outdoor retail chain that reported the theft of three boats from their Nashville location in July 2025.

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What’s next

Nicholson is being held on an $80,000 bond and could face additional charges in other counties. The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow him to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing problem of retail theft and property crime in the Nashville area, with repeat offenders like Nicholson posing a challenge for law enforcement and businesses. It raises questions about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in deterring and punishing these types of crimes.