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Pocono News Section
Pocono Art Heist
Pocono Art Heist - Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 5:06PM EST
Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 @ 05:06pm EST
SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY - Police said they stopped a $20 million art heist in the Poconos. The artwork belongs to fame fantasy artist Frank Frazetta. Officers said his own son, Alfonso Frank Frazetta was the thief.
There's a family estate tucked in the woods of Smithfield Township. At the end of the winding driveway there's a museum. It hold millions of dollars worth of art work from a legend in the entertainment industry, Frank Frazetta. "[He] did the first Conan painting. Did album covers for Molly Hatchet. Movie posters," said Bill Frazetta. He's Frank's son. He said he took over the museum when his mother died over the summer. Frank has another son, Alfonso Frank Frazetta.
Police say Alfonso burglarized the museum Wednesday night. They say he used a back ho to break down the door then took 90 paintings. An alarm went off and officers caught him before he left. His brother Bill said, "I'm just disappointed and sad and I just hope whatever his problem is that he can get help."
Alfonso's wife, Lori, and attorney, Axel Jones, said the artwork is part of a family squabble. They said Alfonso was trying to protect it. Jones said, "He had only his father's best interest in mind at the time."
Lori said,"We were instructed to secure the paintings before we left and make sure that they were put in a place that would be safe."
She could not specify who instructed her. But Jones said it was part of a court ordered inventory of the senior Frazetta's belongings.
Police report Alfonso did not have his father's permission but Alfonso's wife insists he was honoring the elderly man. She said, "This man deserves for someone to look after him - to care for him that has nothing to do with money or things or paintings or legacy."
The case will go before a judge for a preliminary hearing next Wednesday. | | |
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