A Frederick man was sentenced to five years in prison yesterday for stealing a $2,500 diamond ring from a Westminster jewelry store in August.
Kelvin Lin Jones, 33, of South Market Street pleaded guilty to one count of felony theft in exchange for the sentence. Carroll Circuit Judge Luke K. Burns Jr. imposed a 10-year sentence, but suspended five years.
Court records show that Jones went into David's Jewelers in the first block of E. Main St. and asked to look at a tray of diamond rings. When the tray was placed on the counter, the man looked at several rings, put a costume ring in the slot where a diamond ring had been and started out of the store. Police were called.
Officer Howard Friedman, on foot patrol on Main Street, heard the call as he approached the store. An employee pointed to Jones, who ran as the officer approached.
At a parking lot on Railroad Avenue, a witness saw him throw something toward an office building and told police. The ring, still carrying the $2,500 price tag, was found behind a trash container.
POLICE
* Westminster: A resident of Logan Drive reported that someone broke into both of her vehicles and stole items while they were parked near her home Tuesday. She estimated the loss at $445.
FIRE
* Silver Run: Pleasant Valley was dispatched to investigate a carbon monoxide detector sounding in a house in the 5100 block of Haines Lane at 9:33 a.m. yesterday. Units were out an hour.
* Union Mills: Pleasant Valley responded to investigate the report of smoke in the area of Old Hanover Road at 3:58 p.m. yesterday. Units
were out 40 minutes.
* Westminster: Westminster, Reese and Gamber investigated a report of smoke on the third floor of the Billingslea Medical Building in the 500 block of Washington Road at 1:31 p.m. yesterday. Units were out 40 minutes. There was no fire.
