Still no arrest in stolen jewelry case

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More than a week after deputies recovered nearly 3,000 pieces of stolen jewelry from a home in Columbus, no arrests have been made.

And detectives from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office say they believe there are more victims of a woman who, they allege, stole thousands of items from at least a dozen senior living facilities in Franklin and Delaware counties.

No arrests have been made in the case but officials from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office say detectives have recovered nearly 3,000 pieces of jewelry that were stolen from at least a dozen assisted living facilities, they say, by a woman who would dress as an employee, enter residents’ rooms and steal items like jewelry, credit cards and cash.

A sheriff’s detective said Thursday that investigators are still working on building the “strongest case possible” and believe there are more victims who have not been identified. Officials previously reported there were at least 40 victims stretching back to 2013. The detective urged anyone who believes they may also have been a victim to contact a local law enforcement office.

Tracy Whited, spokeswoman for the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, said that because of the large amount of evidence, several other sheriff’s office employees have been helping detectives and property technicians catalog evidence.

Deputies do not consider the suspect to be a flight risk, she said.

Deputies declined to name the suspect because the person has not been charged yet.

Whited said that, because defendants are guaranteed the right to a speedy trial, it’s better to build the case before an indictment so evidence would be ready for trial.

The county Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the case for potential criminal charges, deputies said.

Whited said detectives are working with the victims, asking them for lists of items they believe were stolen and asking for any pictures of them with the jewelry to prove they own the stolen items. Whited said many of the victims provided detailed lists when they initially filed theft reports.

The items will reportedly be returned after the case has concluded.

Deputies report The Inn At Olentangy Trail, located at 6 Corduroy Road, Delaware, and Abbington of Powell, located at 3971 Bradford Road, Powell, were the two locations in Delaware County where the thief struck.

Local officials said Upper Arlington police, Dublin police, Westerville police and Columbus police are also investigating the case.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office released this surveillance photo of the suspect in the case in January. No arrests have been made in the case, officials said, but they recovered nearly 3,000 items from the suspect’s home that, they say, were stolen from at least a dozen assisted living facilities.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2016/05/web1_steals-from-elderly-upright-3.jpgThe Delaware County Sheriff’s Office released this surveillance photo of the suspect in the case in January. No arrests have been made in the case, officials said, but they recovered nearly 3,000 items from the suspect’s home that, they say, were stolen from at least a dozen assisted living facilities. Courtesy photo | Delaware County Sheriff’s Office

By Glenn Battishill

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Glenn Battishill can be reached at 740-413-0903 or on Twitter @BattishillDG

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