Source: Owner of abandoned boat in Portsmouth taken into custody

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — A new twist in the saga surrounding a houseboat that was beached at Portsmouth City Park.

WAVY first reported on the houseboat "Troy" back in September.

Abandoned vessel in Portsmouth moves from City Park

In a follow-up report this week, we discovered the houseboat had been moved to a dock down river, but the dock's owner wanted it gone by the end of the day on Wednesday.

WAVY caught up with the man responsible for the vessel, Willie Brown, who said he would get the boat off that dock.

So, at 1 a.m., he cut the boat loose from the dock and anchored it out in the Elizabeth River.

At 8:30 a.m., strong winds and currents cut his anchor loose.

Another derelict boat in Elizabeth River awaits removal

Jay Muntz shared video he captured on his stationary dock camera. It shows the Troy at the mercy of the currents. On the video, you can see Troy coming right at Muntz's dock, then it hits, but it caused only minor damage.

We asked Brown to explain what happened as he was holding a plank of wood to keep Troy off the rocks.

Brown said, "I didn't pull up anchor, the wind pulled it, and the anchor came loose. It came right around the corner and washed up right here." He pointed to the shore where the boat now rests.

A Virginia Marine Police officer showed up. The officer spoke with Brown. He told them he was going to wait for the winds to die down and then get it towed to a place across the river to a friend's house. He said his plan was to pull it out of the water and get it rebuilt.

Thursday afternoon, WAVY learned from a source that Virginia Marine Police took Brown into custody on multiple outstanding warrants in Virginia Beach and Suffolk. The source also said it's believed Brown has been using a fake name.

Lots of developments in this story. You can count on WAVY to keep you updated.