A man has been charged in connection with the alleged theft and arson of an OPP boat from the force's Elgin County detachment.

Police say the detachment's only boat was taken on June 25th, driven one kilometre out and then torched.

They say a loaner vessel was brought in to patrol Lake Erie two days later.

A 37-year-old Port Stanley man is charged with theft over $5,000, arson and possession of stolen property and is due in court Friday.

A St. Thomas man was earlier charged with theft over $5,000 and arson.