[MSN] Brothers accused in antiques theft ring

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Brothers accused in antiques theft ring

By MIKE MASLANIK
mmaslanik at fltimes.com

Orleans County sheriff's deputies say they've broken up an antique theft ring that hit churches, museums and stores from Erie County to Canandaigua, possibly including the Ontario County Historical Society.

Authorities found more than 450 stolen items in four locations associated with brothers Michael Ortiz, 35, of Albion; Roy Ortiz, 32, of Albion, and Kenneth Ortiz, 30, of Medina, said Inv. Kenneth Strickland of the Orleans Sheriff's Department. The three men are being held in the Orleans County Jail on charges stemming from the thefts and unrelated charges.

The brothers are accused of stealing historic items, mostly dolls, books and military items, from multiple locations and passing them on to an accomplice in Niagara County who allegedly sold them on eBay, Strickland said.

Investigators initially broke the case while investigating the theft of a whale tooth from a museum in Palmyra, he said.

Police traced some of the stolen property to seven or eight stores, but because many of the items aren't marked, there's no way of knowing where most of it belongs, Strickland said.

"I've never seen anything like this before, maybe one or two places getting hit," he said.

Strickland said it's hard to place a dollar amount on the items, because many of them are priceless antiques.

Edward Varno, executive director of the Ontario County Historical Society, wouldn't acknowledge if anything was missing from the museum, but complimented the Orleans police for breaking up the ring.

"The police are doing a very good job on this," he said.

Michael, charged with criminal possession of stolen property, is being held on $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond; Roy is being held on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond for intimidating a witness; and Kenneth is being held on $25,000 cash bail or bond on grand larceny.

An investigation is ongoing, Strickland said, and more charges are expected. 

http://www.fltimes.com