Nutley Woman Stole, Then Hid $28K Costco Ring: Cops

CLIFTON, NJ – A 49-year-old Nutley woman faces theft charges after authorities said she swiped a $28,000 ring from Costco by swapping it out with a less-expensive band.

Izaebela Kolano was arrested Sunday after officers were called to the Bridewell Place superstore on a report that a woman asked to see a ring at the jewelry counter, looked at it and then returned “what was thought to be the original ring,” Clifton Police Det./Lt. Robert Bracken said.

But, after she left, employees discovered Kolano left behind a different ring, one that was valued at significantly less - $1,999, Bracken said.

Management at the store also determined the ring was reported stolen from the Costco in Wayne earlier that day, he said.

Further investigation led police to Kolano’s home, where she was arrested, Bracken said. However, they were unable to find the stolen ring, he said.

After further questioning, Kolano admitted she hid the ring under a rock on a dead end street in Wallington, Bracken said.

When police went to search the area with Kolano, officers found the ring buried in dirt under a fence bordering the Passaic River, he said.