8/14 -- Young tells TMZ that she had set up a time to pick up her personal belongings from an apartment where she was staying, and had let herself into the apartment at the agreed-upon time. She states, "I gathered what I believed to be my property but later discovered I was mistaken."

She claims she has since tried to return the 2 laptops, but has been unable to do so. She adds, "I have not been contacted by the police or any lawyers regarding this matter."

Sean Young -- who famously played Lt. Lois Einhorn/Ray Finkle in 'Ace Ventura' -- is wanted for questioning by the NYPD after she was allegedly caught on surveillance video stealing laptops and video production software.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ they were called to a commercial location in Astoria, Queens Thursday for a burglary. We're told employees at the location turned surveillance footage over to cops that allegedly showed Young and a male breaking in and stealing the gear.

Cops say two Apple laptops and video production software, worth about $12,000, were taken. We're told Young allegedly worked at the location at one point, but was fired months ago.

You was a huge star back in the '80s -- starring in movies like "Stripes," "Blade Runner" and "Dune" ... and broke out in the '90s playing Jim Carrey's "Captain Winkie-havin'" nemesis in "Ace Ventura."