Queens Neighbors Unite to Apprehend Alleged Swan Thieves

Swan Theft in Howard Beach

• 🐦 A disturbing viral video captured a young man running out of Frank Charles Memorial Park in Howard Beach, Queens, with a large swan.
• 📹 The incident, which occurred Saturday night, was recorded by nearby resident Stephanie Santiago and her daughter, showing the swan being stuffed into a blue Prius.
• 🦢 Neighbors expressed outrage, noting that swans are federally protected birds and that the specific swan was last seen with four babies.

Community Mobilization and Investigation

• 📱 Neighbor PJ Marcel shared the video on his Facebook group, "Howard Beach Dads," where it gained significant traction with nearly 150,000 views and 2,000 shares.
• 🔍 Acting on the viral video, a New York City parks worker, Frank Kelly, spotted the same blue Prius and suspects in Forest Park, approximately 2 miles away.
• 🚓 Kelly's wife forwarded the information to US Parks Police, leading to the arrest of three of the four male suspects shortly after.

Arrests and Ongoing Questions

• 🚔 Police confirmed the fourth suspect was later located, and charges are pending, with one suspect being a minor.
• 🚗 The blue Prius was towed, and authorities found swan feathers inside the vehicle.
• ❓ Despite the arrests, the stolen swan remains missing, and questions persist about the motive behind the bird's abduction.