A “career criminal" who allegedly stole two violins from the home of a Los Angeles Philharmonic musician was extradited from France on Friday to face federal charges after trying to sell the instruments to Parisian shops, the FBI said.
Anthony Eugene Notarstefano, 45, of Long Beach has been in French custody since 2007, when he was arrested after a Rue de Rome merchant, suspecting theft when Notarstefano allegedly offered the violins for sale at a price far below their value, checked the Internet and alerted police.
Notarstefano, who contested his extradition, was indicted in 2007 for possession and foreign transportation of stolen goods.
He is scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate Monday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
One of the violins, an 18th century Carolo Tononi, belonged to the philharmonic and was valued at about $225,000. Another, a 19th century Jean Baptise Viuillaume violin valued at about $65,000, belonged to philharmonic violinist Mark Kashper, whose Hollywood home was burglarized.
“I'm glad this is finally resolved," said Kashper, who also lost two bows and jewelry in the theft. “If he is guilty, he should go to prison."
If convicted, Notarstefano faces a maximum sentence of 20 years. Notarstefano was identified by Los Angeles police at the time of his arrest as a “career criminal from the Los Angeles and Long Beach area with a lengthy arrest and prison record." His convictions include burglary, petty theft and credit card fraud.
Members of the FBIs Art Crime Team and detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department's Art Theft Detail investigated the case.
