Rye, NY – A 19-year-old New Jersey man has been charged in connection with a September burglary and vandalism spree that caused more than $57,000 in damage at Playland amusement park, according to the Westchester County Police Department.
Anthony Conkling, 19, of Wyckoff, N.J., surrendered to detectives this week and faces multiple charges, including Burglary in the 3rd Degree and Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree—both felonies—along with misdemeanor counts of Criminal Trespass and Petit Larceny.
According to police, Conkling is accused of entering the amusement park overnight between September 23 and 24, along with two other suspects, ages 19 and 20, also from New Jersey. Investigators say the trio arrived by boat, climbed a fence to enter the park, and committed several acts of theft and vandalism.
Authorities allege the group vandalized an electrical room by cutting fiber optic cables, stole 200 stuffed animals, and attempted—but failed—to throw a photo booth off the boardwalk. Police estimate the property damage at roughly $57,000.
The suspects allegedly used a small boat taken from a Connecticut club, which was later recovered undamaged. Conkling was arraigned in Rye City Court and released on his own recognizance pending a November 25 court date.
Detectives say the other two suspects have been identified and are expected to surrender in the coming days. The investigation was aided by tips from the public and social media shares.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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