Burglar targets Flanders' iconic Big Duck

With a new lock on its back door, the Big Duck was back in business Monday, after a burglar tried to break into the iconic tourist attraction early Sunday.

Southampton Town police responded quickly when the burglar alarm went off at 1:12 a.m., but found no one. They determined someone tried to kick open the rear door. A Suffolk County Parks Department caretaker told police nothing had been taken.

There are no records of previous break-in attempts at the Big Duck; there isn't a lot to steal from the building.

Once, the Big Duck store sold thousands of Long Island ducklings a year. Now, it offers tourists directions and sells duck-themed souvenirs.

But business in November at the Big Duck is actually no business at all.

The Duck - a roadside store built of concrete poured over a wood and mesh frame in the shape of a duck - stands on State Route 24 in Flanders.

It is open on weekends in November, and will be the site of a special Christmas party next month, when it will be decked out in holiday lights.

Since the 20-foot tall Big Duck was built in 1931, it has been moved several times, finally ending up on the Big Duck Farm in Flanders, one of its former homes.

Police are hoping that, because of the time of the break-in, someone may have been driving past the Big Duck and may be able to identify a suspect. Those with information can call the crime tip hotline, 631-728-3454. With John Valenti