Three suspects were arrested after the stolen yacht they were aboard ran aground in Pacifica, Calif. on Monday.

The 82-foot vessel known as Darling was taken from Sausalito Yacht Harbor in the early morning hours and sailed down the coast south of San Francisco.

Two males and one female were found on the vessel by police after witnesses notified the local authorities that the yacht had washed ashore in shallow waters near Pacifica State Beach in Sausalito, according to The Associated Press.

The incident started as a rescue effort to help the people aboard the vessel, but they consistently refused assistance to get the yacht free.

The owner of the boat was unaware at the time that it had been stolen until he saw the story featured on the news and saw that the vessel matched his own. He informed the authorities that the boat was stolen and Pacifica police surrounded the vessel with local Coast Guard responders.

The suspects conducted a lengthy standoff with authorities who shouted demands through bull horns to get off the boat while a crowd of onlookers gathered to watch the event. Police could see the suspected thieves talking on their cellphones and smoked cigarettes while they contemplated their next action.

When the trio finally gave up, two lifeguards discovered that the cabin of the vessel was trashed with empty pizza boxes and dozens of beer bottles, according to The Marin Independent Ledger.

Pacifica police apprehended Leslie Gardner, 63, Dario Mira, 54, and Lisa Modawell, 56. The suspects are being held on suspicion of grand theft and conspiracy at the San Mateo County Jail.

Sausalito Police Sergeant Bill Fraass spoke about the event and the rarity that these situations occur.

"We do have thefts of vessels throughout the area," Sergeant Fraass said, as quoted by the AP. "but the theft of a vessel of this size is uncommon."