Jewelry Thief Pawned Stolen Charms, Cops Say

An Independence Township man was charged with receiving stolen property after police said he pawned several gold charms and a gold ring at stores in Hackettstown.

John Garcia, 26, was arrested on the charges on Thursday after a nearly month-long investigation, according to Hackettstown Police Sgt. Darren Tynan.

Police responded to a Victoria Lane home on June 20 just after 8 a.m. where a resident reported the jewelry stolen, Tynan said. Police found that Garcia had sold the jewelry and received $510 for the items.

Garcia was transported to the Hackettstown police station on Thursday and later released with a ticket to appear in court at a later date.

For questions on this report, email ariana.cohn-sheehan@patch.com.