News

October 18, 2008

Pair charged with selling $100K in stolen property to pawn shops

WEST PITTSTON – Two men who allegedly pawned about $100,000 worth of gold and silver coins and other collectibles stolen from a home sold the items to two pawn shops for only a fraction of the value, arrest records show.

Arthur J. Santarelli, 39, of 91 Breese St., Wyoming, and Lancer Benson, 38, of 2 Mullen St., Pittston, are accused of stealing the coins, along with stamp collection books, baseball cards, a digital camcorder, a flat screen computer monitor, and an electric bass guitar from a home at 1118 Susquehanna Ave. in West Pittston.

Nearly all the items were then sold for about $20,850 to pawn stores in Luzerne and Columbia counties between June and Sept. 25.

Santarelli and Benson were both arraigned Wednesday on charges of burglary, criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property, according to arrest papers.

The pair are both jailed each on $20,000 bail.

According to an affidavit filed by West Pittston police:

On Sept. 26, Officer Michael Turner was contacted by Detective Charles Balogh of Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office about burglaries that took place at the home on Susquehanna Avenue.

Investigators met with the owner who provided a list of items that had been stolen.

Police later learned from a confidential informant that Santarelli and Benson allegedly broke into the home at least three times during the summer months.

Santarelli and Benson sold the coins to Benton Coins & Collectibles in Benton, Columbia County, and Anthracite Coin & Collectibles in Edwardsville, police said. The guitar was sold to B&C Music Studio in Pittston, police said.

Benson also sold several books that contained a stamp collection to the Edwardsville shop, police said.

Preliminary hearings are scheduled for Oct. 23 at Central Court.

Jen Marckini, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7210.

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