Residents recover stolen ‘Welcome to Ozone Park’ sign

Thieves stole the new sign hours after installation. It was recovered in Ozone Park. Photo courtesy of Ulrich’s Office

By David Brand 

Two Ozone Park residents have recovered the brand new ‘Welcome to Ozone Park’ sign a day after thieves sawed through the signposts and made off with the marker.

Elected officials and civic leaders had installed the refurbished sign near the corner of 149th Avenue and Cross Bay Boulevard Monday morning. The burgundy board replaces a familiar, but deteriorating version first added to the neighborhood in 2003.

But hours after installation, at least one person swiped the heavy sign.

Councilmember Eric Ulrich reported the theft on Tuesday. Officers from the 106th Precinct pulled surveillance footage from cameras at a nearby hotel and private homes, Ulrich said. The NYPD released surveillance images of potential suspects Wednesday.

“I’m happy that the sign has been recovered but the NYPD investigation into who took it down is still ongoing,” Ulrich said. “I have been informed by the local precinct that they have excellent video surveillance and photographs of the people responsible for this.”

Ulrich also said he spoke with Queens District Melinda Katz about the theft, which he called a “slap in the face to the community.”

“I expect charges to be brought against the people responsible,” he said.

Ozone Park Residents Block Association President Sam Esposito shared photos of the sign recovery on Facebook Wednesday. 

Residents Yvette and Leo Stawski found the sign lying near an Ozone Park sidewalk about a block away from the scene of the crime. Esposito did not immediately respond to a message seeking more information.

The post prompted celebratory responses from members of the Ozone Park Residents Block Association Facebook group.

“Amazing News!!” wrote one woman.