Westchester County, N.Y. – The final two members of a trio responsible for a $57,000 vandalism spree at the historic Playland amusement park have turned themselves in to authorities, completing the arrest of the notorious “boater bros.”
Connor Evancha, 20, of Pompton Lakes, N.J., and Daniel Bracco, 19, of Oakland, N.J., surrendered at Westchester County Police Headquarters on Monday, facing charges including burglary, trespassing, criminal mischief, and petty larceny, according to law enforcement.
Their accomplice, Anthony Conklin of Wyckoff, N.J., had already been charged after turning himself in last week.
How the Boater Bros Pulled Off the Stunt
Police say the three suspects stole a boat from a Connecticut marina and rowed it across the Long Island Sound to reach Playland in Rye, N.Y. under the cover of darkness on September 23.
Once ashore, the trio reportedly scaled a fence into the park and roamed the grounds, causing widespread destruction. Investigators said the suspects:
- Ripped out fiber optic cables
- Walked through amusement rides
- Stole roughly 200 stuffed animals, stuffing them into garbage bags
- Attempted to tip over a photo booth captured on surveillance video
After their spree, the suspects reportedly rowed back to the marina, returned the stolen boat, and fled the scene, as per The Post.
Impact and Comparisons to Past Incidents
Authorities estimate the damages at $57,000, marking a significant blow to the historic Rye amusement park.
Police noted that this act of vandalism mirrors a June 2024 incident at the Tarrytown Lighthouse, where three teens — Elvin Ayavaca, 18, of White Plains, Richard Barrero, 19, of Harrison, and an unidentified 17-year-old — were charged with breaking into the 142-year-old landmark, stealing items, and setting it on fire, causing over $100,000 in damage.
Surveillance and Law Enforcement Response
Westchester County authorities released images of the Playland suspects last month, which ultimately led to the arrests of Evancha and Bracco. Police described the vandalism as senseless and reckless, highlighting the risk posed by trespassing in historic and public landmarks.
Legal Proceedings
All three suspects are now facing felony and misdemeanor charges related to the incident. Investigations are ongoing to determine if there were additional accomplices or similar offenses committed by the group.
Should authorities increase security measures at historic and public sites to prevent stunts like this?
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