HARRISBURG — Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced the arrests and criminal charges by the Office of Attorney General and 46th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury against two Florida men in connection with at least seven distraction-style burglaries throughout Pennsylvania.
“These defendants are charged with conduct that includes seeking out seniors, distracting them, invading their home, and in some cases stealing thousands of dollars of cash and personal belongings,” said AG Shapiro. “Let this send a loud and clear message — if you target older Pennsylvanians, we’re going to hold you to account.”
According to the grand jury presentment, from August to November 2018, Steve Nichols, 53, and Archie Marino, 34, Nichols’ son, both of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., committed a string of distraction-style burglaries in Lebanon, Butler, Westmoreland, Lackawanna, Indiana Counties.
In each instance, the pair targeted elderly homeowners, one of them engaging the homeowner in conversation while the other entered the residence and stole items of value from safes or various locations throughout the house.
This investigation began following a referral from the Millcreek Township Police Department who, along with the Mount Pleasant Police Department, the Scranton Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the United States Marshal Service, provided significant assistance to this investigation.
Marino and Nichols are being charged with Corrupt Organizations, Conspiracy, Burglary, and related charges. This case will be prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Summer Carroll. All charges are accusations. The defendants are innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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