The city manager of a Northern California city was arrested on suspicion of attempting to steal a yacht less than three weeks after starting the position.
On July 18, deputies with the Marin County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Sausalito Yacht Harbor at 501 Humboldt Ave. at about 6 a.m. after receiving a noise disturbance call from a resident, according to SFGATE.
Responding deputies located Elaine Forbes inside a 66-foot, three-story yacht that authorities said she had broken into.
Forbes allegedly manipulated the vessel’s controls in an attempt to steal it. Authorities also said she had either discarded alcohol she brought aboard or consumed alcohol from the yacht.
Sausalito City Manager Elaine Forbes was arrested after allegedly breaking into a 66-foot yacht at the Sausalito Yacht Harbor on July 18, 2026. (Google)
When deputies ordered her off the vessel, Forbes allegedly told them she was having a “bad morning” and asked them to get off her boat.
Officials with the sheriff’s office told SFGATE that Forbes was arrested and booked into the Marin County Jail, where she remained in custody on $50,000 bail.
In a statement posted on the city’s website, officials in Sausalito acknowledged the arrest and said Forbes had been placed on administrative leave two days before the incident after City Council members met in a closed-session meeting.
Sausalito City Manager Elaine Forbes was arrested after allegedly breaking into a 66-foot yacht on July 18, 2026. (City of Sausalito Facebook)
“The work of the City of Sausalito continues without interruption under the leadership of Acting City Manager Brandon Phipps and our dedicated municipal staff,” the statement said. “It is anticipated the City Council will discuss next steps at its upcoming City Council meeting.”
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In a second statement released Monday, city officials described the ordeal as “a very difficult and sensitive situation for Elaine, the City Council and our entire community” and added that their thoughts were with Forbes and her family.
In a statement obtained by SFGATE, family members said Forbes was experiencing a mental health crisis.
“We ask that no one rush to judgment based on limited information,” the statement said. “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.”
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