DA: Medford Man Stole Half A Million Dollars Worth Of Artwork In Hamptons
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A Long Island man accused of stealing valuable artwork from upscale homes in the Hamptons was arraigned on Friday.
Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said Angel Palencia, of Medford, stole various paintings including "Striped Tents on a Beach" and "La Seins avec La Tour Eiffel," valued at $11,000 and $60,000 respectively. Spota said the total theft amounted to more than $500,000.
Authorities said Palencia told them he was working alone, but Spota is confident that more arrests will be made.
"Nobody believes that this defendant was working by himself. He certainly wasn't running around to houses in East Hampton and looking in windows," he told reporters, including 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera.
How Was The Art Stolen? 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera Reports
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The accused man was arrested after an art dealer became suspicious of his dealings with Palencia and the paintings he was trying to sell.
In one instance, Spota said Palencia stole and sold a $140,000 painting titled "In The Vineyard," to an antique store in Mineola for a mere $1,500.
Authorities said that Palencia targeted homes that were not occupied during the winter. They also believe that the accused man had previously been in some of those homes doing carpentry work.
In addition to the paintings, Palencia is also accused of stealing lithographs, sterling silver and a stamp collection from homes in Southhampton and East Hampton.
Palencia pleaded not guilty to six counts of second-degree burglary and one count of second-degree grand larceny. He was being held on $500,000 bail and faces up to 90 years behind bars if convicted.
