Fugitive returns to Massachusetts to face charges of theft from father

FALL RIVER, Mass. — A Massachusetts man who disappeared three years ago after he was charged with stealing more than $100,000 in veterans' benefits from his father has been found.

The Bristol district attorney says 58-year-old Anthony Schmitka, formerly of Norton, was ordered held without bail during his arraignment Wednesday in Fall River Superior Court on larceny charges.

He walso also indicted Wednesday morning on a charge of bail jumping/failure to appear.

He allegedly stole his elderly father's retroactive veterans' benefits in February 2013 and spent some of the money on the lottery and at a casino.

He had been on the run since 2016 after he failed to appear for a jury trial.

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He was caught last week in Woodstock, Vermont, after police received a tip, and was returned to Massachusetts Tuesday night before being transported to the Norton Police Station for booking.

He was held in jail overnight Tuesday at the Ash Street Jail.

Schmitka was included on a recently established Bristol County Most Wanted Fugitives list set up by the district attorney.

Associated Press