Suffolk County Police Set Free Trapped 1,000 Pound Leatherback Sea Turtle

MOUNT SINAI, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Suffolk County police came to the rescue of a giant sea turtle that got herself into some big trouble in the Long Island Sound on Monday night.

Boaters spotted the 6-foot, 1,000 pound sea turtle tangled in lobster pot lines about a mile north of Mount Sinai Harbor around 8:40 p.m.

The turtle appeared to be in distress and having difficulty breathing, police said.

Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau officers and members of the Riverhead Foundation's Rescue Program worked over three hours to free the endangered Leatherback sea turtle.

Once freed, the turtle appeared to calm down, and swam away on her own without further incident, police said.