A 39-year-old New York City man wanted for attacking a Sesame Place worker who asked him to wear a mask was arrested Wednesday morning, Middletown Township police said.
Troy McCoy, who lives in the Bronx in New York City, was arrested by the U.S. Marshal Service Regional Fugitive Task Force around 6 a.m., police Lt. Steve Forman confirmed to LevittownNow.com.
Deputy marshals arrived at McCoy’s Bronx residence on Simpson Avenue and McCoy attempted to resist being detained. He barricaded himself inside but law enforcement busted through the blockade and used a Taser to subdue the 39-year-old man, Forman said.
Federal law enforcement became involved when police determined McCoy previously had dangerous encounters with authorities, Forman said.
McCoy was being held in New York City as of Wednesday morning and is expected to be extradited to Bucks County to face charges of aggravated assault reckless endangerment, simple assault, harassment, and related offenses, according to court papers.
Working with the New York City Police Department, Sesame Place security, and additional law enforcement agencies, Middletown Township police determined McCoy was the key suspect in the Sunday, August 9 attack on a 17-year-old boy who was working at Sesame Place when he was attacked for asking the group to wear their masks during the pandemic, Forman said.
The teenage Sesame Place employee had an earlier interaction about masks with McCoy and the group he was with, police said.
Gov. Tom Wolf has required face masks when people will be in close contact with one another or indoors at public spaces. Face masks, social distancing, and sanitizing have been shown to be simple ways to cut down on the spread of COVID-19.
“During the course of the assault, another Sesame Place employee attempted to come to the aid of their co-worker and was also punched by the female,” Forman said.
McCoy and Shakerra Bonds, 31, of Bronx, New York City, who is expected to be charged with with simple assault, criminal conspiracy, and related offenses, fled the theme park after the attack that left the teen badly hurt, police said.
Forman said McCoy and Bonds, who live together, were at Sesame Place with another adult and four young children.
As they fled Sesame Place, investigators were able to get a tag number for the vehicle they left in. The tag came back to an address in New York City and detectives began talking to witnesses as they gathered information that led to Wednesday’s arrest, police said.
The 17-year-old theme park employee suffered serious injuries in the attack. He required double jaw surgery and removal of a tooth, according to a Go Fund Me set up to assist him.
The teen was released from St. Mary Medical Center on Friday.
“This traumatic injustice dulled the spirits of a teenager who is so full of love, kindness, and overall radiates sunshine around family and friends,” the fundraising page read.
“Physically, this survivor is taking it day by day even in the midst of experiencing excruciating pain and the inability to perform simple tasks, such as eating solid foods and talking. Mentally and emotionally, it is a challenge to make sense of why this attack had to become a part of the narrative and through that unknown reason, depression becomes a reality,” it additionally stated.
Forman noted the network of law enforcement that made the arrest possible.
“Having the resources of the U.S. Marshal Service assisting MTPD in this case can not be understated. The USMS are the consummate professionals and the best in the world at what they do. Law enforcement working together is a force multiplier and no fugitive is safe from apprehension,” he said.
The case garnered national attention over the past week.
Sesame Place reopened in July with reduced attendance and other safety measures due to COVID-19.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
See also:
Perkasie Man Accused Of Assaulting Female Store Clerk Over Mask Request: Police
Analysis Shows Pa. Has 2nd-Most Coronavirus Restrictions Among U.S. States
Governor Wolf Compares Masks To Seat Belts, Urges 100 Percent Compliance
Wolf: PA Is One Of Three States Recognized By CDC For COVID-19 Reduction Success
Wolf: Mask-Wearing Order Expanded, Must Be Worn Whenever Leaving Home
