Caught on camera: 5050 Skatepark burglarized for second time since September

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Ed Pollio noticed there was something strange about the 5050 Skatepark desk when he opened the Stapleton shop Saturday. A box of bicycle sprockets that had been there the day before had gone missing.

Fearing another break-in, he checked security-camera footage, which confirmed his concerns: Someone had burglarized the shop early Saturday morning, stealing thousands of dollars in custom bike frames, bike parts, scooters and various tools.

It was the second break-in at the skatepark since September. Pollio believes the burglaries were orchestrated by the same person, based on the information from the park's video cameras.

"I didn't want to make a big deal out of this the first time because I didn't want people to be afraid to come to Stapleton," Pollio said. "Ultimately, it'll be better for us and for Stapleton to get this guy off the streets. This starts with businesses; let's stop this person from breaking into someone's house next."

Pollio is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who can identify the suspect and help lead to an indictment. He and co-owner Angelica Papolano estimate that about $15,000 of merchandise was taken during the two robberies.

"It's just super discouraging," Pollio said. "We can't deal with someone breaking in and stealing all our product right after we buy it."

According to a spokeswoman from DCPI, an investigation is ongoing in regards to the second break-in, which occurred at 1:37 a.m. Saturday. No arrests have been made.

"It's the neighborhood. We have to lock everything up. We have cameras everywhere," said Joel Oliva, a manager and detailer at the neighboring Styland Collision. "It's sad because [Ed and Angelica] are hardworking. They do a lot to give kids a place inside to skate and stay off the streets."

Those kids, who have been using New York City's only indoor skatepark since it opened in 2012, take the break-ins personally.

"5050 Skatepark is my second home, so it's like they're taking from me," said skateboarder Thomas Gillette, 16. "5050 Skatepark means a lot to Ed and Angelica and everyone who comes here."

Aidan Sanchez-Campo, a 14-year-old scooter rider, was at the shop recently while Pollio and police officers looked for evidence after the break-ins.

"Ed and Angelica do more than they probably should to make sure everything here is perfect ... They're just great people."

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