The son of a prominent Pocono artist was arrested last night on charges of stealing approximately $20 million in paintings from the family-run art museum.
Alfonso Frank Frazetta, 52, of Marshalls Creek was arrested by state police at Swiftwater and charged with burglary, theft by unlawful taking and criminal trespass.
According to the police report, Frazetta, with the help of two men, including one operating a backhoe, broke through the museum door and took about 90 paintings on Wednesday afternoon.
He loaded the paintings in his trailer and vehicle, but was apprehended before he could flee the scene.
The museum contains paintings by Frank Frazetta Sr., 81, a well-known fantasy artist whose work has been featured in books, posters and album covers.
The elder Frazetta, who is suffering from dementia, was in Florida at the time of the alleged theft.
According to the police affidavit, Frank Jr. told the responding trooper he had Frank Sr.’s permission to enter his museum “by any means,” and move all the paintings to a storage facility. The trooper called the owner, who told the law enforcement official he had not given his son permission to either be in the museum or remove paintings from it.
The two men accompanying Frank Jr. were identified as Frank Bush, 49, and Kevin Clement, 54. Police said additional charges were pending on Bush, who operated the backhoe.
Frank Jr.’s wife, Lori Frazetta, said the incident was the result of family infighting that began after the death of Frank Sr.’s wife, Ellie, a few months ago. According to Lori, Frank Jr. and Ellie ran the family business until Ellie’s death a few months ago – when the infighting over Frank Sr.’s paintings began.
Lori Frazetta said her husband, Frank Jr., notified state troopers of his intentions to inventory the paintings, pursuant to a civil litigation among family members. She also said Frank Jr. was planning to take the paintings to a secured location when he was apprehended.
Frank Jr. was arraigned and taken to Monroe County Correctional Facility in Snydersville. His bail was set at $500,000.
