A 19-year-old from New Jersey is facing charges for breaking into a historic amusement park in Westchester County using a stolen boat, along with some friends, as reported by the police on Sunday.
Anthony Conkling, hailing from Wyckoff, turned himself in to authorities on Saturday after allegedly vandalizing a luxury waterfront park on September 23rd. Two other individuals involved have also been confirmed, and they are expected to surrender to law enforcement soon. This information was shared via a Facebook announcement.
According to police, Conkling and his friends landed a small boat on the shore of Rye Park, a location famous from the Tom Hanks film “Big,” and climbed over a fence to access the park after it had closed for the night.
While inside, the trio was reported to have roamed around, boarded several rides, cut and pulled out fiber optic cables, and stolen stuffed animals. They even attempted to lift a photo booth to flip it onto the beach but were, thankfully, unable to accomplish that.
Authorities estimate the property damage to Playland to be around $57,000. It appears that the boat they used was taken from a rowing club in Connecticut but was returned undamaged.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins expressed his dismay regarding the vandalism, describing it as both “upsetting and heartbreaking.”
“I am outraged and deeply disappointed by the actions of those who invaded Playland Park and caused such senseless destruction,” Jenkins remarked after learning about the incident.
On Sunday, police confirmed that the two other suspects—a 19-year-old and a 20-year-old—have been identified and are anticipated to turn themselves in soon. The identities of these individuals have yet to be disclosed.
In the meantime, Conkling faces charges of robbery, trespassing, criminal mischief, and petty theft in connection to this event.
