Historic New Jersey guidepost found after going missing for over a year

A piece of history is back where it belongs, after a year-long police investigation.

Over 13 months ago, a historic guidepost that dated back more than half a century was stolen right out of the ground from a park in Pennsville, Salem County. 

The sign has been around longer than most living in Pennsville can remember and holds a lot of weight for the community.

“It’s our heritage, it’s history. Generation after generation has rode by that sign,” said Diane Sorantino of Pennsville.

Sorantino was born and raised in the neighborhood, angry that someone would take it, yet so relieved to learn that the police had gotten it back.

Investigators said after months of tips and dead ends, finally, one paid off, a sign of a different kind, but one that still pointed them in the right direction.

“I can’t get into specifics because it is still under investigation. Hope to make an arrest here in the near future. But the important thing is we have the sign back,” said Lt. Brian Streitz of the Pennsville Police Department.

Jason Guererri grew up in Pennsville and now owns a business here. NBC10 spoke with him last year as he was offering a $500 reward for the sign.

Well, he followed through on that this week.

“It’s pretty exciting. It’s something I didn’t think was going to happen. But glad that it did get found finally. Maybe not in the best shape,” said Guererri.

A piece of the recovered sign is broken off, but police said people in the town will work to repair it.

“It’s just wrong to steal, man. You shouldn’t steal,” said Guererri.