Stamford, Conn.—Thomas Liberatore, 66, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, has received a 32-year federal prison sentence followed by five years of supervised release, marking the conclusion of the legal proceedings concerning the 2020 murder of Marco Jewelers owner Mark Vuono.
U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley issued Liberatore’s sentence this Monday, completing the sentencing process for the trio involved in the tragic incident.
Earlier sentences were handed to Paul “Tony Pro” Prosano, 63, who received 30 years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release in July, and Robert Rallo, 59, who was sentenced to 40 years in prison by the same judge in March.
While Rallo admitted guilt, Liberatore and Prosano underwent trial proceedings.
The trial, held in December 2022, found Liberatore and Prosano guilty of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery) and interstate transportation of stolen property. Additionally, Liberatore faced charges for aiding and abetting the use of a firearm leading to a death during a robbery.
According to trial evidence, Liberatore, formerly a Stamford resident, orchestrated the robbery at Marco Jewelers.
Highlighting Liberatore’s extensive criminal past, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Connecticut, noted his 30-year prior incarceration before the robbery.
During a statement following Rallo’s sentencing in March, Assistant Chief Richard Conklin of the Stamford Police Department expressed satisfaction with the accountability of the three individuals involved in the senseless murder.
The fatal robbery occurred on March 28, 2020, at Marco Jewelers in Stamford, Connecticut, resulting in the tragic loss of Mark Vuono’s life. Upon police arrival after a customer’s call, Vuono was found shot and lying on the floor near an open safe, succumbing to his injuries at the scene.
Surveillance footage analysis revealed that Prosano had driven Rallo and Liberatore to Marco Jewelers in a black Jaguar.
Rallo engaged in a physical altercation with Vuono, who also possessed a firearm, while Liberatore pilfered items from the display cases.
Investigators disclosed that Vuono and Rallo struggled in front of the open safe for approximately three minutes before Rallo retrieved a .357 Magnum revolver from the safe, fatally shooting Vuono.
Law enforcement tracked the black Jaguar to Staten Island, New York, subsequently arresting the individuals involved.
Upon investigation, authorities recovered a significant amount of stolen jewelry from the crime, estimating its value between $360,000 and $430,000.
In remembrance, Mark Vuono was eulogized in a heartfelt Facebook post by loved ones as “a hard-working, gentle, kind, and caring soul.”
