A former Berwyn police officer was indicted Thursday on charges he aided a racketeering ring in numerous crimes, including the 2003 bombing of a Berwyn business, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

James Formato, 42, was one of five men named in a 12-count indictment alleging eight years of criminal activity, including “at least nine robberies and thefts, arson, illegal gambling, and obstruction of justice,” the complaint states. Formato and Cicero police officer Dino Vitalo, 40, were both accused of using their authority as officers to provide information to other members of the ring about ongoing investigations into the group’s crimes.

On Feb. 25, 2003, a pipe bomb detonated outside the building that housed C & S Coin Operated Amusements, a video and vending machine business at 6508 W. 16th St. The explosion shattered store front windows and damaged the store’s interior. No one was injured in the blast.

Kyle Knight, 45, of Merrillville, Ind., was sentenced last year to 15 years in prison for supplying the group with explosive powder to bomb the store. As part of a plea deal with prosecutors, Knight told authorities he supplied the explosives to Mark Polchan, 41, formerly of Justice, and Oak Brook resident Samuel Volpendesto, 84, alleged to be an associate of the Chicago Outfit. Polchan and Volpendesto were charged last year in the bombing. They pleaded not guilty and remain in custody.

In addition to the charges already filed against Polchan and Volpendesto, Thursday’s indictment alleges Michael “Big Mike” Sarno, 51, of Westchester, ordered Polchan and Volpendesto to bomb the store, which was seen as a competitor to the ring’s illegal gambling activities. Mark Hay, 52, and Volpendesto’s son Anthony, 46, were also indicted Thursday for allegedly robbing jewelry stores, and playing roles in the transportation of stolen goods across state lines.

Authorities further allege Polchan used his Cicero-based Goldberg Jewelers, 1203 S. Cicero Ave., to store and sell stolen goods and to conduct meetings with criminal associates.

The indictment states at least one of the men were involved in stealing at least $1.8 worth of items from residences and jewelry stores in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin from 2001 through 2003, and in the March 2003 attempted armed robbery of a Berwyn resident.

The government is seeking more than $1.8 million in illegally obtained money from Polchan, Sarno, Formato, Hay, and both Volpendestos.

Vitalo, a Cicero police officer since 1991, was accused of using law enforcement databases to provide the group with information regarding ongoing investigations, and of filing a false police report in order to provide a false alibi for other group members. Formato allegedly acted as a courier to carry stolen money across state lines, surveilled potential targets of criminal activity, participated in an attempted armed robbery and gave the group information into ongoing cases.

Vitalo and Formato were each charged with obstruction of justice, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Interim Police Superintendent Lori Lelis placed Vitalo on paid administrative leave Thursday pending the outcome of the investigation, according to a statement released by the town.

"Officer Vitalo is off the streets as of now," Lelis said in the release. "We want Cicero residents to have full faith and confidence in our department and our individual officers. The officer indicted today will be on leave until his legal situation is resolved one way or the other."

Other charges against the seven men involved in the bombing and robberies include racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to use an explosive device to damage property, using an explosive device to damage property, using a pipe bomb, obstruction of justice, operating an illegal gambling business, possession of goods stolen from interstate shipments, filing false tax returns, and failing to file a tax return.