Franklin Man Steals $6,000 in Jewelry from Greendale Woman During Painting Job

GREENDALE, WI — A man hired to paint a Greendale woman's home tried walking off with $6,000 in jewelry only to get caught hiding cocaine while at the police station.

Paul Dietrich of Franklin faces one count of felony theft and possession of cocaine.

According to his criminal complaint, on March 31, 2017, Greendale police were dispatched to the 5600 block of Oakwood Circle for a report of a theft. Upon arrival, police spoke with a home owner who stated that she was missing a diamond ring valued at $3,500, a herringbone necklace valued at $1,900, and a herringbone bracelet valued at $600 for a total value of approximately $6,000. L

According to the complaint, the home owner stated that she had the interior of her residence painted during the week of December 12, 2016 by Dave Scherer. Police stated that on April 1, 2017 he spoke with Scherer who stated that he remembered painting that residence and identified one of the painters who helped him paint the residence as Dietrich.

According to the complaint, Police checked the Northeastern Wisconsin Property Reporting System (NEWPRS) and found that Dietrich pawned LMK’s ring and necklace at David Derzon Coin on December 13, 2016. Police recovered the ring and necklace from David Derzon Coin and on April 10, 2017 the home owner came to the police station and identified the two pieces of jewelry as hers.

Dietrich was taken into custody on April 23, 2017 and a search incident to arrest revealed a plastic corner cut of a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine wrapped in a twenty dollar bill, the complaint stated.

Police reported that He admitted to taking the woman's ring, necklace and bracelet and selling them at David Derzon.

According to his criminal complaint, Upon leaving the interview room, police noticed Dietrich was moving around and appeared as if he was attempting to conceal something into his right shoe or right side of his pants/waistband area. Police asked the defendant to open his right hand and officers found him holding three corner cut baggies containing a white powdery substance of suspected cocaine. The total weight of the cocaine was 2 grams.

-----

image via Patch.com