Either somebody is really into selling scrap metal these days, or an incredible art show is coming to Bushwick soon. Just after we were left giggling over somebody robbing more than 30 NYC manholes of their covers comes word that somebody else (or maybe the same somebody?) went and stole a slew of iron tree guards from Times Square's Restaurant Row. And unlike ConEd, the Times Square Alliance is offering a reward for anyone who can help them catch the culprit.
According to the Alliance last weekend roughly 20 of the 2-3" iron guards, which "have long lined the historic restaurant row on 46th Street" and help keep the tree roots drained and protected from pedestrians, were stolen. According to Alliance President Tim Tompkins:
“We’ve been dismayed and stumped by the recent disappearance of these tree guards that have protected the trees on historic Restaurant Row since the 1970s. But we didn’t have a probable cause for their disappearance until now. This crime seems to fit within a larger citywide pattern, and we are offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to the conviction of the thieves who stole the tree grates from restaurant row.”
There is a chance the guards were taken to accommodate work on the block, but nobody in the DOT seems to know about it. Anyone with information is asked to call (212) 452-5218. Meanwhile, the NYPD says they are investigating.
