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CrimeMay 10, 2016
Jeweler Arrested For Allegedly Pawning Clients’ Jewelry
The owner of Ray Boone Jewelers in Montgomery, Ala., was taken into police custody May 2 on charges of first degree theft of property.
Montgomery, Ala.--One Alabama jewelry store owner has been arrested for allegedly pawning the jewelry that customers brought in for cleaning or repair.
Ray Boone Jewelers owner Charles Wilkerson, 51, was taken into custody on May 2 and charged with first degree theft of property, according to the Montgomery Police Department.
According to police, Wilkerson would take jewelry dropped off for repair or cleaning to pawn shops so he could get short-term loans to pay off his own debt.
Police would provide no further information on the case, noting that the investigation is ongoing.
National Jeweler was not able to get in touch with anyone at the store for additional comment on Monday, as all phone calls went straight to voicemail. Local news outlets reported that anyone who stopped by the store on Friday was met with an empty store and instructions to contact the police.
Meanwhile, some angry clients have been taken to social media to vent about the situation, posting to the Ray Boone Jewelers Facebook page.
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