Nearly $100,000 worth of jewelry was stolen from a Sevierville, Tenn., jeweler in a late-night theft Jan. 2. Sevierville Police Department public information officer Bob Stahlke tells JCK that the SPD responded to an alarm at B & L Jewelry at 12:42 a.m. on Jan. 2. When officers arrived, they discovered the front door had been kicked in and a glass display case had been broken.
Owner Lois Starkey tells JCK that she estimates $100,000 worth of jewelry was stolen from the case. “It was all of my men’s rings, diamond engagement rings, diamond bands, and a tray of seven sapphires and seven rubies,” Starkey says. Despite 20 years of business, Starkey says she has not experienced anything like this. She says the alarm system was the store's only security measure and she does not have insurance to cover the loss.
“I’m getting a video system put in and I’m going to reinforce my doors and windows,” she says. “We will survive.”
