[MSN] LI's prehistoric Gone-o-saurus. Theft of Jurassic proportions. Nassau police are searching for a creature that's 5 feet tall, 10 feet long, brown with dark stripes and has been extinct for centuries.

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

LI's prehistoric Gone-o-saurus
 
BY MICHAEL FRAZIER
Newsday Staff Writer

October 17, 2006

Nassau police are searching for a creature that's 5 feet tall, 10 feet long,
brown with dark stripes and has been extinct for centuries.

The missing dinosaur, crafted from fiberglass, was fastened to a trailer
with bolts, but thieves pilfered it over the weekend in Oyster Bay during
the annual Oyster Festival.

The dinosaur was being used by the Center for Science Teaching and Learning
in Rockville Centre to promote a robotic exhibit, "Battle of the Dinosaurs"
at the Sands Point Preserve and Museum.

"We miss him already," the center's director, Rayann Havasy, said. "He's
kind of a unique guy, so we're hoping they have a change of heart and return
him."

The dinosaur, which the museum owned since 1990, was an attraction at the
23rd annual waterfront festival, where it was stolen between 6 p.m. Saturday
and 9 a.m. Sunday, police said.

Security cameras malfunctioned just before a thief or thieves cut the bolts
to free the life-sized reptile, leaving the trailer behind, Havasy said. It
was unclear whether someone connected with the festival was a suspect, but
investigators said they haven't ruled out anything.

Yesterday, police called the theft a prank. "It's such an unusual item,"
said Det. Lt. John May of Nassau's Second Squad. "Someone should see it."

The dinosaur, scientifically named Deinonychus [pronounced dahy-NON-i-kuhs],
is a raptor with large, sickle-shaped foot claws. The reptile was made
popular in the "Jurassic Park" movie trilogy.

Cindy Smith, spokeswoman for the festival, said 24-hour security watched
over the about 1 1/2-mile stretch that the Oyster Festival covered. She said
no one recalled any attractions being stolen before.

"They should really give them their poor dinosaur back," she said, adding
the festival's insurance can cover the loss.

The Oyster Festival, which took place Saturday and Sunday, is backed by the
Oyster Bay Rotary Club and the Oyster Bay Charitable Fund to raise funds for
25 area nonprofits, Smith said.

Losing the dino to thieves is a setback, Havasy said, but promotions of the
robotic dinosaur exhibit will press on. "We'll have to get creative," she
said. "Right now, we just have an empty trailer." Anyone with information is
asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. Callers will remain anonymous.

Theft of Jurassic proportions

NAME Deinonychus

HEIGHT 5 feet

LENGTH 10 feet

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION A raptor with large sickle-shaped foot claws. Brown
with dark stripes, bolted to a trailer.

COMPOSITION fiberglass

OCCUPATION Promote robotic exhibit "Battle of the Dinosaurs" at the Sands
Point Preserve and Museum.

LAST SEEN Oyster Bay, during the Oyster Festival fundraising gala. Stolen
between 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. 
Copyright 2006 Newsday Inc.