Arrests have been made in the vandalism of the Tarrytown Lighthouse in Sleepy Hollow. A preliminary assessment is that $100,000 in damage was caused. Westchester County Police have charged three people in connection with the case.
Surveillance images showed four people at the lighthouse during a time period when it normally would be closed to the public. The damage to the lighthouse was discovered about 9:40 a.m. on Saturday May 31 by a Westchester County Parks Department employee. Upon arriving at the lighthouse, the employee observed a smoke condition, broken windows and other property damage.
Destruction at the lighthouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, included:
Significant fire damage to the flooring on the first floor;
- Multiple broken windows on the first and second floors;
- Multiple items destroyed, including valuable antiques, other furniture and items of historical significance;
- Damage to about 35 antique books that were removed from shelves and strewn about the floor.
Two suspects, ages 18 and 19, have been arraigned in Sleepy Hollow Village Court. They are each charged with Arson 3rd Degree, Burglary 3rd Degree and Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree. Those acts are felonies. The county identified them as Elvin Ayavaca, 18, of White Plains and Richard Barrero, 19, of Harrison.
The third suspect, a 17-year-old, was charged as a juvenile. He was arraigned in the Youth Part of Westchester County Court. He is not being identified due to his age. A remaining suspect was being sought at the time the others were making their court appearances..
The county’s Parks Department was working to complete a detailed damage assessment and has temporarily suspended public tours of the lighthouse.
