Three Pennsylvania men have been convicted as part of a decades-long theft ring that targeted high-end pieces of art, sports memorabilia and other objects.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Nicholas Dombek, 54, of Thornhurst, Pa., Damien Boland, 48, of Moscow, Pa., and Joseph Atsus, 48, of Roaring Brook, Pa., were convicted Friday for conspiracy to commit theft of major artwork, concealment and disposal of major artwork, interstate transportation of stolen property and additional offenses.
Part of a nine-person conspiracy that lasted more than 20 years, the men would break into museums and other institutions to steal high-end items, including art and sports memorabilia.
Among the notable items stolen:
- 1999: Christy Matthewson jersey and two contracts signed by Matthewson
- 2005: “Le Grande Passion” by Andy Warhol and “Springs Winter” by Jackson Pollock
- 2014: 10 World Series rings, seven other championship rings, and two MVP plaques belonging to Yogi Berra, worth more than $1,000,000
- 2015: Six championship belts, including four belonging to Carmen Basilio and two belonging to Tony Zale
- 2016: The Hickok Belt and MVP trophy belonging to Roger Maris
- 2012: U.S. Amateur Trophy and Hickok Belt awarded to Ben Hogan
- 2012: 14 trophies and other awards worth more than $300,000, from the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame
- 2013: Five trophies, worth more than $400,000, including the 1903 Belmont Stakes Trophy, from the National Racing Museum & Hall of Fame
- 2011: 11 trophies, including four belonging to Art Wall, Jr., from Scranton Country Club
- 2006: Three antique firearms, worth a combined $1,000,000, from Space Farms Zoo & Museum in Wantage
- 2010: 1903/1904 Tiffany Lamp stolen in 2010 from the Lackawanna Historical Society
- 2011: “Upper Hudson” by Jasper Cropsey, worth approximately $500,000, from Ringwood Manor
- 2011: Two antique firearms, worth more than $300,000, from Ringwood Manor
- 2011: $400,000 worth of gold nuggets from the Sterling Hill Mining Museum
- 2017: Various gems, minerals, and other items from the Franklin Mineral Museum
- 2018: Antique shotgun, worth more than $30,000, from Space Farms Zoo & Museum
- Various jewelry, rings, and other items from various antique and jewelry stores in New York, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania
According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the items were stolen and transported to northeastern Pennsylvania, where the memorabilia would be melted down into metal discs or bars and sold to fences in the New York area. The raw materials would sell for just hundreds or a few thousand dollars, fetching significantly less than what the actual items would at auction.
Dombek reportedly burnt “Upper Hudson” by Jasper Cropsey, which is valued at $500,000, to avoid the painting being found by investigators. Whereabouts for additional paintings and pieces of memorabilia are currently unknown, though investigators did recover a number of antique firearms.
Five additional co-conspirators pleaded guilty pursuant to felony informations and are awaiting sentencing. Alfred Astus was acquitted of three counts at trial.
The men face a maximum of five years imprisonment for the conspiracy convention and maximum penalties of 10 years imprisonment for each additional count of conviction and a fine.
Sentencing for Dombek, Boland and Joseph Astus has yet to be scheduled.
According to WVIA Public Radio, the ringleader, Thomas Trotta, provided details of the thefts across the three-day trial. Trotta has already pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
Ben Burrows is a reporter and editor for cllct.