Altoona man sentenced for role in skill games burglary ring
Group targeted skill games, auction houses
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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- The city man involved in a local burglary ring targeting skill game machines and auction houses was sentenced Thursday afternoon to 3.5 to 10 years' incarceration in a state correctional institution after pleading guilty to all charges against him.
Steven Eugene Aman, 54, appeared next to defense attorney William Wigman and entered guilty pleas to single felony counts of corrupt organizations, conspiracy - corrupt organizations, dealing in unlawful proceeds, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal use of a communication facility, as well as to single misdemeanor counts of obstructing the administration of law enforcement and tampering with evidence.
In addition to sentencing Aman to 3.5 years to 10 years' incarceration, Judge Jackie Atherton Bernard ordered Aman to pay his share of the case's $9,034 restitution and $800 in fines.
Aman was charged alongside co-defendants and fellow Altoona residents Tyler Ray Crocitto, 32, and Asher Brooke Trainer, 31, and Hollidaysburg resident Michael Robert Lamborn, 34, following an extensive investigation by Allegheny Township police that began Sept. 6, 2025. Officers responded to a Duncansville laundromat at 1295 Old Route 22, for a reported burglary in progress but the suspect fled before their arrival. Videos allegedly showed the suspect entering the establishment through its front door after breaking a window and unlocking it. The suspect could then be seen using a saw to cut into a change machine and a series of skill machines, cutting the side panels and taking the money, the police report states.
Police reported that $2,195 in cash was taken. Damage to the skill machines was set at $7,800, while damage to the redemption terminal was set at $10,000.
Through follow-up with other law enforcement agencies, it was found that four other locations were burglarized using the same techniques. Police said video surveillance showed the suspect in the other burglaries matched the Duncansville case. It was discovered that a cellphone used in a Nov. 12, 2024, burglary was also nearby during the 2025 incidents.
That cellphone was connected to Crocitto, who was a suspect in the 2024 case. Using open-source intelligence searches, Crocitto was linked to Trainer, who was one of the arrestees in the November 2024 burglary investigation.
Eventually, police were informed of a burglary in Moon Township that involved an online auction company's warehouse. During that incident, $3,000 to $4,000 worth of merchandise was reported stolen. Video surveillance shows the suspect in this case leaving on foot, walking toward the road from the brush and being picked up by a person driving a vehicle with Pennsylvania registration plate. The vehicle was connected to Lamborn, the report states.
Four additional burglaries, all associated with pending estate auctions, were discovered during the follow-up investigations -- one in Westmoreland County and three in Cambria County, the affidavit states.
On Dec. 4, 2025, police executed a search warrant on Aman's residence, on the 500 block of 18th Street, Altoona, as part of a West Virginia case. A large amount of stolen merchandise was found in the home. Police said the total amount of stolen property is listed at $28,272, while the total amount of property damage is listed at $23,822.85.
Trainer is scheduled for plea court in front of Senior Judge Jolene Grubb Kopriva and faces more than 60 counts, including 11 felony counts of burglary and 10 felony counts of theft. He remains in custody at the Blair County Prison after being unable to pay $75,000 bail.
Crocitto is also scheduled for plea court Jan. 8 and faces seven felony counts for his alleged involvement in the burglaries. He remains free on $200,000 bail.
Lamborn's next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 21 in front of Judge David B. Consiglio. He faces 11 felony counts across two cases and remains free on $75,000 and $200,000 bails.
Aman has been incarcerated in the Blair County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail since his Dec. 5 arrest.
Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor-Musselman is at 814-946-7458.