Federal authorities have announced charges against nine people for thefts of millions of dollars worth of paintings, sports memorabilia and other valuables over more than two decades. The U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania says they included significant artworks, like an Andy Warhol silkscreen and a Jackson Pollock painting stolen in 2005 from the Everhart Museum in Scranton. Authorities say the ring of thieves destroyed many sports pieces, including nine World Series rings belonging to late Yankees catcher Yogi Berra, to sell them for scrap. Investigators say eight of the alleged thieves turned themselves in and one is now considered a fugitive.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/1280264

The thefts took place over more than two decades at 20 museums, institutions and stores across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C., and North Dakota, the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania said Thursday.

Investigators believe some of the sports memorabilia and other items had been melted down, including nine of Berra’s 10 World Series rings, U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam said at a news conference.

It was unclear which items will be returned to their owners or to the museums, but authorities said some of those valuables had been recovered.