2 charged in connection to vandalism along Coney Island Boardwalk storefronts

The iconic Coney Island “Tilly” face is now splattered with red paint. Maya Miller, the owner of the Brooklyn Beach Shop, commissioned the piece several years ago and says they spent hours Tuesday trying to scrub it clean.

News 12 Staff

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May 12, 2021, 2:35 AM

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Updated 1,243 days ago

Police say two people vandalized boardwalk storefronts with red paint in Coney Island. Now, business owners say after an already tough year, they are dealing with another burden to bear.

The iconic Coney Island “Tilly” face is now splattered with red paint. Maya Miller, the owner of the Brooklyn Beach Shop, commissioned the piece several years ago and says they spent hours Tuesday trying to scrub it clean.

Miller says a witness described two people with a water gun full of red paint, squirting it all over several buildings on the boardwalk.

Shortly after, she says someone spotted them on the beach and called the police.

The sign on Tom’s Coney Island is also defaced with red splatters, which has also soaked through his awning and is sprayed all over their gate.

Jimmy Kokotas, the owner, says that after a disastrous year for Coney Island, it’s harder than ever to be a business owner.

“People were probably having some fun at our expense... we used to like to play with water guns, too but we never put paint in them,” said Kokotas.

Police say two men were arrested. Daniel Ventre, 37, and Michael Garrett, 40, are charged with making graffiti and criminal mischief.

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