Martin housekeeper charged with pawning employer's jewelry

MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. - A housekeeper was accused of pawning jewelry that belonged to her employer, according to a Martin County Sheriff's Office affidavit.

A woman living in the 5100 block of Southeast Williams Way, Stuart, reported last week more than $10,000 worth of jewelry had taken from her home this year. She named the housekeeper, Susan R. Smith, 52, of the 800 block of Northwest 11th Terrace, Stuart, as a suspect.

A detective took the homeowner to several pawn shops in the county Monday. They found four of the missing pieces had been pawned by Smith between April 19 and Aug. 5, the affidavit states.

Smith admitted to the thefts in an interview and was charged with four counts of dealing in stolen property, the Sheriff's Office said. She remained at the Martin County Jail Friday in lieu of $40,000 bail.

© 2011 TCPalm. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.