Pennsylvania’s Attorney General announced that a man from Florida will serve time in prison for a string of distraction burglaries in Western PA.
AG Dave Sunday reported that 57-year-old Steve Nichols, who pleaded guilty to seven burglaries in five counties, including Indiana, was ordered to serve up to 20 years in state prison by a judge in Butler County. Investigators said that he was the leader of a burglary team that posed as utility workers to distract and deceive homeowners. Many of the victims were elderly people and home alone at the time. One of the men would distract the resident while the other would ransack the houses, taking jewelry, cash, rare coins and other valuables.
Nichols’ son, Archie Marino, is also charged in the scheme.
Sunday said in a statement that Nichols was intentionally targeting older citizens because he felt they were easier to dupe. He also said the case should “serve as a reminder for residents to remain vigilant when contacted by people they do not know.”
