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Store Manager Accused Of Pawning Jewelry To Pay Off Repo'd Car

BOYNTON BEACH (CBS4) - A J.C. Penney jewelry manager used some of her own merchandise to get her car out of hock, Boynton Beach Police allege.

According to the arrest affidavit, on March 22 police were called to the J.C. Penney store on the 800 block of N. Congress Avenue after a loss prevention employee reported a shoplifter in custody. Police say when they arrived, they were told by the employee that Chelsey Edwards, 25, the store's jewelry manager, had approached the loss prevention officer stating that she had found a bag containing a men's necklace, ring, and bracelet in the store's safe.

The loss prevention officer stated that he told Edwards to return the bag to the safe and he would investigate it later. The officer then told police that instead of returning the bag to the safe, he received the tip that Edwards had pawned all but the men's necklace for cash.

While investigating the claim, police checked the Regional Pawn Data Sharing System (RPDSS) and learned that Edwards had pawned the jewelry for $500 at a West Palm Beach pawn shop.

When approached by police with the claims, Edwards reportedly confessed, stating that she needed the cash to get back her repossessed car.

Edwards is facing charges of grand theft, dealing in stolen property, and knowingly giving false verification of ownership.

 

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