Man's Alleged Jewelry Theft Nets Felony Charge

A homeless man faces a theft charge after allegedly stealing jewelry from the home of a woman he knew.

Damien Ellis, 26, is charged with with felony theft in Dakota County, which holds a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, Ellis went to the home of the alleged theft victim around 7 a.m. the day she noticed the jewelry was gone.

She said after he came over, she left, but when she came back Ellis apparently left abruptly. She told police she found this strange, and checked her jewelry box to find a diamond pendant, men's ring and a pair of earrings missing, the complaint says.

She told police Ellis denied taking the jewelry, the complaint says, and she called police.

allegedly found that Ellis had pawned a necklace and bracelet that day, and had pawned a ring in January, matching the description of the woman's jewelry.

When police spoke with Ellis, he allegedly told them he had taken jewelry and pawned it because he needed the money.

The value of the jewelry was $1,585, according to the complaint.