Man arrested and woman will surrender for assaulting Sesame Place teenager over mask dispute

A New York City man has been arrested and a woman is expected to surrender to face alleged assault charges against a teenage employee at Sesame Place theme park near Philadelphia following a dispute over the obligation to wear a mask, police said.

Troy McCoy and Shakerra Bonds, both of the Bronx, are both charged with conspiracy, disorderly conduct and harassment in the Aug. 9 attack on the 17-year-old worker, Middletown Township police said on Wednesday.

McCoy, 39, tried to barricade himself at the couple’s home on Wednesday morning but was arrested by Federal Marshals, police said.

Other charges against him include aggravated assault, common assault and reckless endangerment of another person. He will be taken to Middletown to face charges.

Police said arrangements are underway for the bonds, 31, to surrender. She is also accused of simple assault. Court documents do not list the lawyers who represent them.

Sesame Place, a water and theme park for kids, requires guests ages 2 and over to wear a face covering in the park, except when eating and drinking or in designated chill out areas to protect against the spread of the disease. coronavirus. Face masks are not permitted in the park’s water attractions.

The employee reminded the couple of the mask requirement and was punched in the face before the two fled, police said. He was taken to hospital and stayed there for seven days. He had to be operated on for a broken jaw and tooth injuries, police said.

“It’s a shame you have a 17 year old who works hard and does the right thing and reminds people of the mask policy and the governor’s orders, and they did not receive it well,” he said. Police Detective Steve Forman told NBC News. referring to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s mandate to wear masks in public.

Sesame Place spokeswoman Dana Ryan thanked police in a statement Wednesday “for their swift actions and support.”

“We have issued a lifetime ban on those involved for all of our parks across the country,” the statement said. “The safety of our team members and guests remains our top priority.”