Arlene Combs, Racketeering, New York 2016

Rochester Woman Sentenced for Role in Burglary Leading to Death of Elderly Medina Comic Book Collector

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Arlene Combs, 31, of Rochester, NY, was sentenced to 240 months in prison for her role in a burglary that led to the death of an elderly Medina comic book collector, Homer Marciniak.

The crime occurred on July 5, 2010, when Combs and her co-defendants, including Rico Vendetti, hired three men to break into Marciniak’s home and steal his valuable comic book collection. During the burglary, Marciniak, who had a serious heart condition, awoke and confronted the burglars, and was ultimately struck in the face and bound with bed linens.

Combs and her co-defendants then fled the scene, but Marciniak freed himself and was taken to the hospital for treatment of his facial injuries. Unfortunately, Marciniak suffered a heart attack and died shortly thereafter. Medical experts concluded that the blow and the emotional trauma caused by the burglary directly contributed to Marciniak’s cardiac arrest and resulting death.

Combs was convicted of racketeering and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott S. Allen, Jr.

In a separate investigation, law enforcement officials identified Combs and her co-defendants, who were arrested and charged in connection with the crime. The defendants were also linked to an organized shoplifting ring that stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise from retail stores such as Walmart, Sears, Home Depot, JoAnn Fabrics, Tops, and Wegmans.

Vendetti, the former owner of Eastside Gold & Car Audio, was convicted of racketeering and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 20, 2016. Donald Griffin was convicted of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering: murder, and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 7, 2016. Albert Parsons was convicted of a violent crime in aid of racketeering: assault resulting in bodily injury, and is scheduled to be sentenced in May 2016. Juan Javier, who was 17 at the time of the burglary, was prosecuted as an adult in Orleans County and sentenced to seven years in state prison.

Combs’ sentence of 240 months in prison serves as a reminder that law enforcement will be relentless in pursuing each and every person responsible for this crime.

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