A New York couple has been charged after police say they punched a teenage theme park employee in the face when he reminded them of his company’s mandatory mask policy.
Troy McCoy, 39, and 31-year-old Shakkera Bonds are accused of beating the 17-year-old employee of Sesame Place, a Sesame Street-inspired theme park in Pennsylvania, so badly on Aug. 9 that he needed to undergo surgery. He sustained a fractured jaw and injuries to his teeth, according to NBC News.
Police announced on Wednesday that McCoy had been arrested after he barricaded himself inside the couple’s home as federal marshals closed in. There are reportedly arrangements that have been made for Bonds to turn herself in to law enforcement.
The duo has been charged with criminal conspiracy, disorderly conduct, and harassment. McCoy has additionally been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person, while Bonds was hit with a simple assault count.
Sesame Place spokeswoman Dana Ryan said the two have been banned from the park for life and thanked law enforcement “for their quick actions and support.”
“It’s a shame you have a 17-year-old working hard, and he’s doing the right thing and reminding people about the mask policy and the governor’s orders, and they did not receive it well,” said police detective Steve Forman.
