Standing 156 feet high, the Giant Wheel at Morey's Piers on the Wildwood Boardwalk is one of the tallest amusement rides on the East Coast. (Photo courtesy of YouTube)
A major refurbishment of one of the Jersey Shore’s most iconic – and tallest – amusement rides has been delayed after the theft of more than $175,000 worth of steel components needed for the project on the Wildwood Boardwalk.
Morey’s Piers, owner of the 156-foot-tall Giant Wheel, reported that the theft brings an “unexpected and disappointing setback” to the project.
“We are heartbroken by this incident,” Morey’s chief operating officer Geoff Rogers said in a statement. “The Giant Wheel holds deep sentimental value for not only the company and our team members, but the generations of families who have made memories on it.”
Rogers, however, indicated that the company remains optimistic overall that the Giant Wheel will be refurbished in time for the summer tourism season at the shore, just as Morey’s had intended.
“While this theft has presented a challenge, it does not change our commitment to completing this project on schedule,” he said.
In a new development, Wildwood police announced Wednesday that they arrested William Morelli, 67, of Wildwood Crest, for the theft following an investigation. Morelli has been charged with the theft of movable property and was released on a summons pending court proceedings.
Police said Morelli allegedly removed a large amount of metal from the beach area near Adventure Pier next to the Boardwalk before selling it to a scrap yard business.
“During the course of this theft, which occurred over several days, a large amount of metal was removed. The reporting party provided a suspect and vehicle description to police after reviewing surveillance video,” police said in a news release.
The metal had been stored on a temporary work site on the beach next to Morey’s-owned Adventure Pier. The theft was discovered in early February.
The Giant Wheel itself is currently at the Philadelphia Navy Yard undergoing $1.5 million in renovations and a new paint job to get it ready for the bustling summer season. It was disassembled for the trip from Wildwood to the Navy Yard, where a team of contractors is overseeing its refurbishment.
Illuminated by LED lighting, the Giant Wheel is visible from the Wildwood skyline for miles.
“We’re talking about a giant Ferris wheel – one of the largest on the East Coast. At 156 feet in height, the Giant Wheel provides the best views of the island. Roller coasters look like ant hills. The ocean, a baby pool. That giant wheel of cheese? It’s finger food, from here,” Morey’s Piers says in a humorous snippet on its website describing the amusement ride.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the announcement of an arrest in the case.
