Three teens have been arrested for trashing and setting fire to the beloved historic Sleepy Hollow lighthouse in a “heartbreaking” attack just a year after its multimillion-dollar renovation, according to officials.
Baby-faced firebugs Elvin Ayavaca, 18, of White Plains and Richard Barrero, 19, of Harrison, along with an unidentified 17-year-old, caused at least $100,000 in damage to the charming 142-year-old landmark, the Westchester County Police said in a press release Friday.
The trio was charged with arson, burglary and criminal mischief after getting caught on camera strolling over a bridge leading to the lighthouse Saturday, according to police. A fourth suspect is still at large.
The young suspects are accused of hopping a locked fence at the “cherished” lighthouse at around 3:30 a.m., then smashing a window and climbing into the towering red-and-white structure.
Once inside, they allegedly lit parts of the bottom floor, which is set up as a museum, and damaged antique furniture and at least 35 precious books.
The vandalism came a year after the county unveiled a $3.4 million renovation of the lighthouse’s interior, including a restoration of its historic spotlight. The destruction sparked local outrage and plenty of police tips, Westchester County Police Public Information Officer Kieran O’Leary told The Post on Wednesday.
The teens were arraigned in Sleepy Hollow Village Court on the felony charges, according to police, who said they aren’t naming the 17-year-old because he’s a juvenile.
Built in 1883, the lighthouse at Kingsland Point Park once housed a family on the banks of the Hudson River and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
“It’s disappointing, and it’s heartbreaking to see this kind of damage that was just completely unnecessary,” Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said in News 12 footage earlier this week.
O’Leary added of the lighthouse, “It’s a cherished landmark.
“Everybody in Westchester is really upset about it.”
