4 Teens Charged with Vandalizing and Setting Fire to Historic Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse: 'It’s Disappointing, and It’s Heartbreaking'

Four teenagers have been arrested for allegedly vandalizing and setting fire to a historic lighthouse in Sleepy Hollow, New York.

On Friday, June 6, Elvin Ayavaca, 18, and Richard Barrero, 19, were charged with third-degree arson, third-degree burglary, and second-degree criminal mischief felonies for their alleged involvement in the incident, Westchester County Police Department (WCPD) said in a news release shared on Facebook.

A 17-year-old boy, unidentified due to his age, was charged as a juvenile and arraigned in the Youth Part of Westchester County Court. In a follow-up news release, police said that a second 17-year-old was also charged.

The four suspects allegedly hopped over a locked fence at the Hudson River Lighthouse at around 3:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, May 31. They then are believed to have smashed a window and climbed into the historic site.

Hours later, at about 9:40 a.m., an employee found the lighthouse with significant fire damage to the flooring on the first floor and multiple broken windows on the first and second floors, per the WCPD news release. 

Multiple items were destroyed, including valuable antiques, other furniture and items of historical significance. Additionally, 35 antique books were removed from the shelves and thrown on the floor.

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The teens are accused of causing at least $100,000 in damage to the 142-year-old landmark, just a year after the historic site received a $3.4 million renovation.    

“It’s disappointing, and it’s heartbreaking to see this kind of damage that was just completely unnecessary,” Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, per News 12.

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“It’s a cherished landmark,” said WCPD officer Kieran O’Leary, per the New York Post. “Everybody in Westchester is really upset about it.”

A representative for the Westchester County Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Friday.