MEDINA — Homer Marciniak, 77, a retired bank janitor, lived alone. The man never married and had no children, but he did have plenty of friends.
And he had his pride and joy — a large collection of classic old comic books featuring Batman, Superman, The Flash and other superheroes. Some of the books, which Marciniak carefully cataloged and sealed up in plastic wrap, dated as far back as the 1930s.
But criminals found out about Marciniak’s comic book collection, and in the predawn hours of July 5, they arrived at his home to steal it. Police believe at least two or three bandits cut the telephone lines and broke into Marciniak’s home.
When the elderly man awoke and surprised them, one of the thieves punched him repeatedly and knocked him to the floor.
Marciniak suffered bruises and cuts in the robbery. He was treated for those injuries in Medina Memorial Hospital and was released.
But several hours after his release, he experienced severe chest pains in his home and died of a heart attack. Police charged a Rochester businessman, Rico Vendetti, with hiring bandits to break into the home and steal the comic books. Vendetti is accused of state burglary charges and federal racketeering charges, which he has denied.
A 77 year old man minding his own business is burglarized over a comic book collection. I hope the judge charges these people with murder or at least sends them away for a long time. These are people who shouldn't be out on the streets. We have to decide as a society whether we are going to tolerate scum like this. There is nothing more despicable than crimes against children or the elderly. I hope the defendants get what they have coming to them in prison. If there was any real justice, the judge would have them dropped them off on Main St. in Medina and let them explain their crime to the local residents....
Burglars intent on collection took a life - City & Region - The Buffalo News
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