A New Jersey man is accused of boosting almost $200,000 of metallic from a development web site for renovations of a famed Ferris wheel on Wildwood’s boardwalk.
William Morelli, 67, was arrested on a theft cost after taking a “large amount” of metallic from the seaside close to Adventure Pier, Wildwood police mentioned Wednesday. Adventure Pier is considered one of three Wildwood piers the place Morey’s Piers operates amusement rides and sights.
After stealing the metallic over a number of days, Morelli offered it to a scrap yard, police mentioned. The stolen supplies had been price greater than $175,000, in line with experiences.
The theft investigation started on February 4.
“The reporting party provided a suspect and vehicle description to police after reviewing surveillance video,” Wildwood police mentioned, including that investigators had been later in a position to determine the suspect as Morelli.
Morey’s Piers took down the Ferris wheel, which sits on neighboring Mariner’s Pier, final fall and despatched it to Philadelphia’s Navy Yard for repairs, CBS Philadelphia reported. The theft occurred at a brief work web site for the favored attraction, in line with the outlet.
Geoff Rogers, Morey’s Piers chief working officer, advised information shops his amusement firm is “heartbroken by this incident.”
“The Giant Wheel holds deep sentimental value for not only the company and our team members, but the generations of families who have made memories on it,” Rogers said.
At a whopping 156 toes in top, the Giant Wheel is without doubt one of the largest Ferris wheels on the East Coast, in line with Morey’s Piers. It’s been a staple on the boardwalk since 1985, experiences say.
“While this theft has presented a challenge, it does not change our commitment to completing this project on schedule,” Rogers mentioned.
The Ferris wheel is predicted to return to the park in time for the 2026 season, which begins in May, in line with experiences.
Police mentioned Morelli was charged with Theft of Moveable Property and later launched. Information about his authorized illustration was not instantly clear.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/man-steals-metal-ferris-wheel-wildwood-b2923976.html