cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/1280264

The thefts took place over more than two decades at 20 museums, institutions and stores across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C., and North Dakota, the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania said Thursday.

Investigators believe some of the sports memorabilia and other items had been melted down, including nine of Berra’s 10 World Series rings, U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam said at a news conference.

It was unclear which items will be returned to their owners or to the museums, but authorities said some of those valuables had been recovered.