Woman Stole $350,000 Diamond Ring, Sold It for $4,800: Officials
Cody Mejias said she used the money to buy food, gas, Christmas presents and pay bills, according to authorities
Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 | Updated 7:41 PM EST
Martin County Sheriff's Office
Cody Mejias
A woman was arrested for stealing a diamond ring valued at $350,000, which she then sold for $4,800, authorities said.
Cody Mejias, 26, of Jensen Beach, was arrested on Monday and faces a charge of grand theft over $100,000, according to the Martin County Sheriff's arrest affidavit. She remained in jail Wednesday on $20,000 bond.
On Jan. 6, a man reported the theft of the 11 karat diamond and platinum ring from his Stuart home. He told authorities that the ring was last seen in their kitchen. No guests had entered the home and one of the cleaning personnel was Mejias, the affidavit said.
Three days later authorities got the ring from a pawn shop. The original pawn slip, dated Dec. 22, was signed by Mejias, the affidavit said. Mejias had come in that day saying she got a diamond ring as an inheritance from a dead aunt, the affidavit said. The pawn shop owner bought the ring for $4,800 with a check.
The ring was seized and appraised by a certified gemologist, and Mejias went into authorities to discuss the matter.
"Mejias confirmed she had in fact stolen the ring ..." the affidavit said. "Mejias was apologetic and stated she needed the money to feed her children."
She said she used the money to buy food, gas, Christmas presents and to pay bills. She also wrote the victim an apology.
It wasn't immediately known if she had an attorney.
Posted Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 - 6:51 PM EST
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