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PROVO — In the real estate world, showings happen every day, multiple times a day. But if it's your home strangers are coming into, be careful what you do with your valuables.
On Friday, a Provo man had $4000 dollars in custom jewelry stolen from a dresser drawer during an open house. The homeowner tells police his agent took three potential buyers through the house and when returned home that night the valuable rings were missing.
One of the pieces is an 18-carat gold ring with blue stones worth about $2000 dollars.
- He said to hide your valuables where the general public won't find them.
- Put away anything with personal information on it.
- Tell the agent that no one should be left alone.
- Don't ever let a couple split up in the house.
- Make agent check the locks on all windows and doors before leaving.
"He knew exactly where those rings were and they were missing and so he believes somebody had to have stolen those rings when they came through that day," said Provo Police Sgt. Matthew Siufanua.
Siufanua warns those selling their homes to be aware of this type of theft:
He says hide your valuables, put them in a place where the general public won't have access it them. Put away letters and bills, anything with personal information on it. Talk to your agent; tell them at no time should they leave a potential buyer alone in the house nor should a couple be allowed to split up during the showing. He says to also make sure the agent checks the locks all windows and doors before leaving the house.
"If you have ever been a victim of a burglary or someone rummaging through you property, you feel violated, and he feels that way at this time," Siufanua said.
Police are working on getting the names of those who went through the house on Friday. If one of them is responsible for stealing the jewelry they will be charged with a felony.
