Weeks later, no arrests in stolen jewelry case

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Although it’s been several weeks since police recovered nearly 3,000 pieces of stolen jewelry from a home in Columbus, no arrests have been made.

Officials from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that the investigation has been sent to the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office to review the evidence for potential charges. The prosecutor’s office said Friday that it would not comment on an ongoing investigation.

No arrests have been made in the case but officials from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office say detectives served a warrant at a home on Ravine Bluff Court in Columbus last month and recovered nearly 3,000 pieces of jewelry that were stolen from at least a dozen assisted living facilities. Deputies allege that a woman, who would dress as an employee, entered residents’ rooms and stole items like jewelry, credit cards and cash.

A sheriff’s detective said in May 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.

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.

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.

Case turned over to prosecutor

By Glenn Battishill

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

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