Couple scared, person of interest sought, after thousands in jewelry stolen from home

Reporter: Justin Kase Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:
(Credit: Cape Coral Police Department)

A couple is nervous in their own home after a thief took thousands of dollars worth of sentimental jewelry from them. There is a new clue of who may be involved. A man with four children and a woman tried using stolen gift cards from that home burglary at a restaurant.

As of Thursday, that man is only a person of interest in the case, but the victims hope they get answers soon because they’re tired of losing sleep.

They said priceless doesn’t begin to describe what was stolen. “Every piece that he ever gave me had a special meaning.” said the woman whose jewelry was stolen. “One of the very expensive diamond rings was a gift for our 30th wedding anniversary. There were pieces that had meaning from our children, grandchildren. Just want to know why they picked us.”

Someone broke into the couple’s home in Cape Coral days after Thanksgiving.

They had company in town and went to dinner for less than two hours. When they came back, the patio glass door was smashed, and their bedroom was ransacked.

“You just don’t feel safe anymore,” the woman said. “it’s hard sleeping at night.”

Her husband said, “yeah, every little noise, she wakes up. She hasn’t slept good since.”

The couple now worries about their safety, so they asked that we not use their names or show their faces.

“You know, you feel violated. And it’s something I think you’ll never forget. Especially my wife. You know, this will be with you forever.”

The investigation now centers on the identity of this man.

(Credit: Cape Coral Police Department)

The victim says he purchased gift cards for Overtime Pizzeria in Cape Coral the day before the burglary.

After the break-in, he called and canceled them.

Police flagged the stolen gift cards. They say the man in the photo above tried using them.

“I want my stuff back, and I want to know why he picked us, why he did this to us.”

Police said if the man in the surveillance pictures wasn’t involved in the burglary, he could help lead them to the person or people responsible.

As for the couple, they have plans to beef up their home’s security with alarms and cameras so they can once again feel safe.

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