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Police: One arrested, one to surrender in theme park assault

LANGHORNE, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say a New York City man has been arrested and a woman is expected to turn herself in to face charges in an assault on a teenage employee at a children’s theme park near Philadelphia earlier this month following a dispute over a requirement to wear masks due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Thirty-nine-year-old Troy McCoy is charged in Bucks County with aggravated and simple assault, criminal conspiracy and related counts in the Aug. 9 attack on the 17-year-old victim. Thirty-one-year-old Shakerra Bonds is charged with simple assault and criminal conspiracy.

Middletown Township police said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that the male suspect was taken into custody in New York City after he was located by federal marshals and the woman was expected to turn herself in. Court documents don’t list attorneys representing the defendants.

Police said the worker had reminded the Bronx residents about the mask requirement amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and he was punched in the face before the two fled. Authorities said the teenager was taken to St. Mary Medical Center, where he needed surgery for a fractured jaw and injuries to his teeth.

Sesame Place said in a statement Wednesday that officials were relieved by the arrests and the park had “issued a lifetime ban to the individuals involved for all of our parks across the country. The safety of our team members and guests remains our top priority.”

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