Whether intended as an engagement ring, a Valentine’s gift or else, a diamond ring spelled jail to a couple police said shoplifted the bauble from a local jewelry store.
Daniel Everett Smith, 26, Middle Drive, Jesup, and Jessica Paige Bowen, 20, Kennedy Street, were arrested Wednesday after witnesses told police the pair teamed up to steal a $2,500 diamond engagement ring from Kay Jewelers, said Statesboro Police Chief Stan York.
Jewelry store employees called police after the incident, and Statesboro Police Det. Tommy Brown, Advanced Patrol Officer Dustin Cross and Officer Andrew Samples, along with other officers responded to the store inside the Statesboro Mall around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, he said.
“Witnesses stated Smith may have removed the ring from the jewelry counter and placed it into Bowen’s bag,” he said. Then, “Smith proceeded out of Kay Jeweler’s, walking west through the mall, and exiting out the rear of the mall by Vandy’s Barbecue.”
Smith then walked around the outside of the mall to get to his vehicle parked in the front, he said.
A witness who was leaving the mall through the front entrance saw Smith meet Bowen in the front of the mall, and said Bowen was telling Smith to “get in the car, get in the car now,” he said.
Brown and other officers interviewed Bowen, who told Brown she had possession of the ring, York said. Brown recovered the ring and took it as evidence in the presence of another Statesboro Police officer, he said.
Both Bowen and Smith were charged with felony theft by shoplifting and taken to the Bulloch County Jail, where they await further court action, he said.
A shoplifting incident is considered a felony when it is either the offender’s fourth offense (or more) or the amount stolen exceeds $500.
Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.
Daniel Everett Smith, 26, Middle Drive, Jesup, and Jessica Paige Bowen, 20, Kennedy Street, were arrested Wednesday after witnesses told police the pair teamed up to steal a $2,500 diamond engagement ring from Kay Jewelers, said Statesboro Police Chief Stan York.
Jewelry store employees called police after the incident, and Statesboro Police Det. Tommy Brown, Advanced Patrol Officer Dustin Cross and Officer Andrew Samples, along with other officers responded to the store inside the Statesboro Mall around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, he said.
“Witnesses stated Smith may have removed the ring from the jewelry counter and placed it into Bowen’s bag,” he said. Then, “Smith proceeded out of Kay Jeweler’s, walking west through the mall, and exiting out the rear of the mall by Vandy’s Barbecue.”
Smith then walked around the outside of the mall to get to his vehicle parked in the front, he said.
A witness who was leaving the mall through the front entrance saw Smith meet Bowen in the front of the mall, and said Bowen was telling Smith to “get in the car, get in the car now,” he said.
Brown and other officers interviewed Bowen, who told Brown she had possession of the ring, York said. Brown recovered the ring and took it as evidence in the presence of another Statesboro Police officer, he said.
Both Bowen and Smith were charged with felony theft by shoplifting and taken to the Bulloch County Jail, where they await further court action, he said.
A shoplifting incident is considered a felony when it is either the offender’s fourth offense (or more) or the amount stolen exceeds $500.
Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.