Police arrest handyman accused of stealing over $200K worth of comics

<p>Police say a handyman stole over $200,000 worth of comic books and artwork from a New Jersey homeowner before fleeing to Italy.</p>

News 12 Staff

Oct 9, 2017, 11:22 PM

Updated 2,528 days ago

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A handyman accused of stealing over $200,000 worth of comic books and artwork from a New Jersey homeowner has been arrested, authorities said Wednesday.
Francesco Bove, 64, was arrested in Brooklyn, and is now awaiting extradition to Sparta, New Jersey, on charges of burglary and theft.
Sparta police Lt. John Lamon said the theft happened earlier this year when Bove was hired to repair a Sparta home that had sustained water damage. Sparta police said Bove allegedly made off with $239,000 in comic memorabilia from the unoccupied home.
Authorities said the homeowner reported the theft after a friend told him his pieces were on the market. Investigators said Bove sold multiple pieces from the collection before traveling to Italy.
Officials said the homeowner has since located most of his stolen art.