Officials are investigating after two boats were stolen in then set on fire overnight Monday into Tuesday.

The first boat exploded near the Newell Bridge in Hancock County, then hours later another boat was discovered charred and ransacked in Columbiana County.

Investigators said both boats were stolen from the same marina in Wellsville and the incidents are connected.  

There were no reported injuries, but the first boat was destroyed. Officials said 911 dispatchers received a call around 2 a.m. that a speed boat was fully involved in flames near the Newell Bridge.

"It's unusual," said Hancock County Sheriff Mike White. "We don't have a lot of boats stolen and we don't have a lot of boat fires."

Later, the second boat was found on a bank in Yellow Creek, Columbiana County. Mike Lynch and a friend of his, who found the boat, said it looked suspicious so they called police.

The second boat was salvaged but it was missing several items including a stereo and tools.

"People are just stupid. They don't respect anybody else's property. That's what the world is coming to I guess," Lynch said.

Police and the Coast Guard made the connection that both boats were stolen from the same marina in Wellsville, but the boats were not owned by the same people.

Wellsville Police Chief Joe Scarabino said the thefts also raise the question how many people were involved.

"You have two boats, two different locations, with the same purpose … to commit the thefts, as to whether or not just to ransack the boats, to blow the boats up," Scarabino said.

Because the second boat was not destroyed, officials said the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation will be called in to look for clues left behind.

Police did not have any suspects as of Tuesday afternoon, but said whoever did this must have been desperate. Scarabino said the incident is unfortunate "for someone to stoop this low. … It's too early for Christmas, but what a Grinch."

Officials said they are determined to find out who is responsible for the crimes and said they will review evidence and possible video recordings to determine suspects.

The incidents remain under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call police or the NEWS9 Lauttamus Security Crime Busters Tipline at 800-862-BUST. Tips can also be emailed to crimebusters@wtov.com.