Nine Charged in 20-Year-Long Multi-State Theft Ring

Publish date: 2024-05-01

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Details released Thursday morning at the William Nealon Federal Building in Scranton that nine people are charged with stealing significant artwork, artifacts, and priceless sports memorabilia over a 20-year span.

When items were stolen, they were then brought to NEPA where they were sold for less than what they are worth.

"After many of these thefts, the defendants would bring items back to northeastern Pennsylvania, melt them down, and sell the pieces for fractions of the full and fair market value" says Attorney Gerard M. Karam, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

The following people have been charged with committing theft of major artwork, concealment or disposal of objects of cultural heritage, and interstate transportation of stolen property:

47-year-old, Alfred Atsus of Covington Township

48-year-old, Joseph Atsus of Roaring Brook Township

47-year-old, Damien Boland of Moscow

53-year-old, Nicholas Dombeck of Thornhurst

50-year-old, Daryl Rinker of Thornhurst

50-year-old Frank Tassiello of Scranton

51-year-old, Dawn Trotta of Covington Township

48-year-old Thomas Trotta of Moscow

45-year-old Ralph Parry of Covington Township

Court documents say the group of nine would burglarize museums and institutions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, North Dakota, and Washington D.C.

Locally, the group targeted places such as the Everhart Museum, the Scranton Country Club, and the Lackawanna County Historical Society.

Some of those items stolen include:

“Le Grande Passion” by Andy Warhol and “Springs Winter” by Jackson Pollock from the Everhart Museum back in 2005.

Eleven trophies, including 4 awarded to Art Wall, Jr. stolen from the Scranton Country Club in 2011.

A 1903/1904 Tiffany lamp stolen from the Lackawanna County Historical Society in 2010.

Although many items have been destroyed and resold, the Pennsylvania State Police are hopeful to find more items and return them to their rightful owners.

“We maintain an operational picture that we will do whatever we can to return them to their rightful owners and their rightful places” says Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police.

The maximum penalty for the conspiracy charge is five years imprisonment, and for each of the other offenses is ten years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

According to investigators, Nicholas Dombek has not surrendered and is considered a fugitive.

Anyone with information on Dombek’s whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI

Original Story:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The U.S. Attorney`s Office, federal, state, and local law enforcement held a press conference Thursday morning at the William Nealon Federal Building in downtown Scranton.

Officials say that nine people are charged with stealing significant artwork, artifacts, and sports memorabilia over a 20 year span.

"After many of these thefts, the defendants would bring items back to northeastern Pennsylvania, melt them down, and sell the pieces for fractions of the full and fair market value" says Gerard M. Karam, U.S. Attorney For The Middle District Of Pennsylvania.

The following people have been charged with committing theft of major artwork, concealment or disposal of objects of cultural heritage, and interstate transportation of stolen property:

According to the FBI, eight out of the nine suspects have surrendered. 53-year-old, Nicholas Dombeck is still considered to be a fugitive.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI by calling 1-800-call-FBI or TIPS.FBI.GOV

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