RYE, NY — A 19-year-old New Jersey man was charged this week in connection to a burglary and vandalism spree that occurred in September at the Playland amusement park.
Anthony Conkling, of Wykoff, New Jersey, surrendered to Westchester County Police detectives Tuesday and was booked on charges of burglary in the third degree and criminal mischief in the second degree, both felonies, as well as criminal trespass in the second degree and petit larceny, both misdemeanors.
Two other suspects, ages 19 and 20, also from New Jersey, have been identified by detectives from the General Investigations Unit and are expected to surrender in the coming days.
Conkling is accused of being one of three people who entered the Playland amusement park in the overnight hours of Sept. 23-24 and committed acts of theft and vandalism.
The trio arrived on the Playland beach in a small boat shortly before midnight on Sept. 23 and climbed a fence to enter the amusement area.
The intruders vandalized an electrical room, cutting or ripping out fiber optic cables for phone and internet service.
They stole 200 stuffed animals, which they hauled away in garbage bags.
The suspects also attempted to throw a photo booth off the boardwalk but were unable to do so.
The damage caused to property at Playland is estimated at $57,000.
The boat they used was apparently taken from, and returned undamaged to, a boat club in Connecticut.
Conkling was arraigned in Rye City Court Tuesday and released on his own recognizance.
He is due back in court on Nov. 25.
