Fairfield Man Accused Of Stealing University Student Artwork

FAIRFIELD, CT — A 72-year-old Fairfield man is facing felony and misdemeanor charges in New York after authorities accused him of stealing works of art by students and equipment last year at the State University of New York in Purchase.

Frank Flippone was arrested by State University Police, following a months-long investigation where authorities combed through hours of campus and off-campus surveillance video to find the suspect's vehicle.

In an email to Patch, State University Police Chief Dayton Tucker said Flippone was charged with third-degree burglary and multiple counts of petit larceny.

"The thefts began in April of 2022," Tucker said, adding that Flippone was arrested on a warrant last week and was arraigned at Harrison Town Court.

Tucker did not elaborate on the details of the case, but the Yonkers Times reported that virtually all the stolen artwork were nudes that were part of student thesis assignments.

"I commend the efforts of our Criminal Investigator, Police Officers, and Communications Officers for bringing this case to resolution," Tucker said.

Flippone is free on a promise to appear in court at a later date.

Tucker said authorities seek to return the recovered artwork to the student artists.

"Additionally, I am proud that we will soon be able to reunite students with artworks that have been recovered as a result of this arrest," Tucker said. "We felt the pain of the Visual Arts community, and we are happy to bring this closure."