Crime & Safety

Landscaper Stole Jewelry, Pawned It, Cops Say

Authorities said June burglary was committed by man who is now in jail on probation violation.

A Hopatcong man who is currently in jail allegedly stole jewelry while he was landscaping at a borough home in June, said.

John Shaker, 24, was charged with burglary and theft for allegedly taking $250 worth of jewelry from the residence. Shaker, who is currently in the Sussex County Jail on a probation violation, was served the complaints at the jail, police said.

According to police, on June 20 a resident of Brooklyn Mountain Road reported she left for work in the morning and when she came home at night, she found jewelry missing from her jewelry box. Police said they found evidence of forced entry through the window.

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When police questioned the woman's landscaper, he said Shaker was working for him that day doing yard work, according to police.

Police said they found Shaker was left alone that day to complete the work, and that he told someone he broke into the house and took the jewelry. The source told police that the jewelry was pawned at a shop in Andover, according to authorities.

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Police said their investigation found that Shaker did pawn jewelry at the shop. The complaints were subsequently issued to him at the county jail.


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