Jarvis, 25, with his would-be fiance' and two children
Facebook outs diamond ring thief
4.0 k views | Posted January 17, 2012 |
By Aaron Weinman
Romance isn't dead, it's just apparently not that bright after one would-be Romeo’s plans were foiled by Facebook.
Last month authorities in the US nabbed a diamond thief via a series of photos posted to a Facebook account.
Ryan Jarvis of Burlington, Vermont stole a 1.01ct diamond ring from a local Zales Jewellers with the intention of proposing to his partner, Amber Lafountain.
The next day, police received anonymous tips that photos of an identical diamond ring matching the one described in local news reports had been posted on Lafountain’s Facebook page.
Police learned that on the evening of December 26, Jarvis proposed to Lafountain over dinner. Friends of the couple saw Lafountain’s celebratory images on her Facebook, and phoned the local police after recognising the ring from media reports.
After police questioning, Lafountain was left with no choice but to hand in the $3,000 diamond engagement ring for inspection. Police discovered the serial number on the diamond matched that of the stolen Zales piece.
Jarvis, a young father of two, eventually admitted to the theft and was subsequently charged with felony retail theft, a crime punishable by not more than 10 years in jail and a $1,000 fine.
According to industry magazine JCK, Jarvis told police that he had “selected a ring but knew that he could not afford it”, and though he considered financing options, he opted to run out of the store with it.
More reading:
Jeweller shocked by taser robbery
Thieves rob hobbyist, Hardy Brothers
Image Gallery (2 Images)