75-Year-Old Accused Of Buying Jewelry Stolen From Nursing Home

HUDSON, FL -- A 75-year-old Hudson man has been charged with purchasing jewelry he should have known was stolen without a pawnbroker's license.

Pasco County Sheriff's deputies arrested Benjamin Cianfarani III, owner of Coins & Things pawn shop, 14011 U.S. 19, and Your Friend Ben's Pawn, 15215 U.S. 19, in Hudson on Tuesday. They say he purchased jewelry from a nursing home employee who stole it from residents of the nursing home.

According to the sheriff's office, Jessica Campbell, 23, and her mother, Teresa Delpeschio, approached Cianfarani at his Coins & Things to sell stolen jewelry valued at $18,000.

Cianfarani admitted to deputies that he bought several pieces from them and paid $300 although he no longer has a pawnbroker or second-hand dealer's license.

He told deputies he bought the items because he felt bad for Campbell and Delpeschio.

Deputies said the items he purchased were identified as jewelry that was stolen from a nursing home resident by Campbell, who was arrested last week.

See related story: Hudson Nursing Home Worker Accused Of Stealing From Patients

Campbell is accused of stealing a ring, two bracelets and a necklace worth $18,000 from a resident of the Atria Nursing Home In Hudson. Deputies believe she may be responsible for other thefts as well.

Deputies said Campbell used a master key she wasn't supposed to have to enter the apartments of the nursing home residents while they were out.

Campbell has been charged with two counts of burglary, one count of grand theft and two counts of dealing in stolen property.