New York Couple Charged In Violent Attack Of 17-Year-Old Sesame Place Employee Who Reminded Them To Wear Masks
LANGHORNE, Pa. (CBS) -- A New York couple has been charged in the violent attack of a 17-year-old employee at the Sesame Place amusement park in Langhorne earlier this month. Investigators say 39-year-old Troy McCoy and 31-year-old Shakerra Bonds attacked the teen after he reminded them to wear a mask.
Ten days after the couple assaulted the employee, federal authorities took a New York man into custody. Around 6 a.m. Wednesday, U.S. Marshals served an arrest warrant on the 2700 block of Sampson Avenue in the Bronx.
But McCoy didn't make it easy.
"He attempted to barricade himself in the residence. That proved to be futile. U.S. Marshals breached his barricade and took him in custody," said Lt. Stephen Forman of the Middletown Township Police Department.
The assault happened on Aug. 9 at Sesame Place in Langhorne. Forman says earlier that day, the teenage employee asked the man and woman to comply with the park's mask policy. When the couple saw the employee again, police say they both struck him in the face, knocking him to the ground.
"We learned another Sesame employee came to the aid of the 17-year-old male and attempted to pull her off of him and the male off of him," Forman said. "The female, Bonds, then turned around and punched that employee, so she's charged with an additional assault."
Bonds, also of The Bronx, is making arrangements to turn herself in on two counts of simple assault and other charges.
Police were able to identify the couple within 24 hours through reservation records and surveillance cameras that captured their faces and license plate number. But because they are from out of state, taking them into custody is a complicated process.
In the meantime, a GoFundMe campaign a close family friend started for the injured teen shares he is still in excruciating pain. He spent a week in the hospital recovering from surgery to his fractured jaw and damage to his teeth.
"The victim understandably can't speak right now and probably won't for a while because his jaw is wired shut," Forman said.
Following news of the arrest, Sesame Place released this statement:
"We want to thank the law enforcement agencies involved for their quick actions and support. We have issued a lifetime ban to the individuals involved for all of our parks across the country. The safety of our team members and guests remains our top priority."
The teen's family is opting to keep him anonymous, while he recovers physically and mentally. The GoFundMe campaign for him has already received thousands of dollars in donations.
McCoy will be brought to Middletown Township to face aggravated assault and other charges, unless he fights extradition, which could delay the process by a month.