Squatters allegedly living in empty Triple Crown Diner in Queens

QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Unwanted visitors are residing in the long-closed Triple Crown Diner in Bellerose, according to members of the local business community.

Joe, who runs a restaurant across the street, told PIX11 News the squatters enter at night via a rear staircase that leads to the roof: "You'll see people just randomly walking out of there. I pay close attention. You'll see a lot of garbage stacked up right there."

Behind the diner, there’s a shed with a mattress on the ground. The identity of the alleged squatters remained unclear as of Friday afternoon.

"I know it has been reported to the 105th Precinct and it's been reported by them that they've come and located an opening in the ceiling, the roof, that they've covered with plywood," said Richard Hellenbrecht, the treasurer of the Bellerose Civic Association. "For anyone to get inside and squat in the diner is really terrible."

Another business owner, Jack, told PIX11 the neighborhood has recently seen some changes for the worse.

"Well, they shouldn't be living there. They're vagrants. It ruins our business - it runs the businesses in the area. Sure, it bothers you, but what can you do about it?"

The NYPD did not respond to PIX11's request for comment. Two brokers whose names and phone numbers are posted on the outside of the diner also did not respond to PIX11's request for comment.