Westchester County Police have charged three people in connection with the weekend arson and vandalism spree at the historic Tarrytown Lighthouse in Sleepy Hollow.
Two suspects, ages 18 and 19, have been arraigned in Sleepy Hollow Village Court. They are each charged with Arson 3rd Degree, Burglary 3nd Degree and Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, felonies.
Those suspects are identified 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 is still being sought.
The damage to the Hudson River Lighthouse was discovered about 9:40 a.m. Saturday by a Westchester County Parks 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.
The Westchester County Parks Department is working to complete a detailed damage assessment. A preliminary estimate places damages at about $100,000, though that figure is subject to change. The Parks Department has also suspended all scheduled public tours of the lighthouse at this time.