Medallion stolen from Islandia veterans memorial; $5,000 reward offered

ISLANDIA, Long Island (WABC) -- Officials in one Long Island village are offering a $5,000 reward after a United States Marine Corps medallion was stolen from a veterans memorial.

Islandia Mayor Allan Dorman said the theft happened at the memorial on Old Nichols Road and Johnson Avenue around 11 p.m. Sunday.

It's a well known monument constructed in 2008 that honors the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard and Marine Corps.

"Our public safety officers are on patrol, they do a patrol check on our properties, and made the notification that it's been removed," Deputy Mayor Michael Zaleski said. "It's very disrespectful. It's very tasteless. It's a slight on everybody who lives in the village, and every other veteran who has served our country."

Zaleski says the money to build the memorial was generated by local businesses in Islandia.

The reward is for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call Village Hall at (631) 348-1133 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.