JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A local Jacksonville woman was busted for allegedly stealing more than $150,000 worth of jewelry from a department store she worked for at the Avenues Mall.
Marie Anne Hodang, 41, was arrested last Friday and faces charges of retail grand theft.
According to a police report obtained by Action News, J.C. Penney's loss prevention had been monitoring several employees in the jewelry department. She's accused of taking about $160,000 worth of jewelry.
Nearly $200,000 of jewelry disappeared.
- Related Link: Today's Top Stories.
- For Action News on the go, sign up for Action News Mobile & Email alerts.
The police report goes on to say she admits to taking some jewelry -- but paying for others. Police also searched her home, car, locker, and safe deposit box, where they found additional jewelry and approximately $30,000 in cash.
J.C. Penney does sell some expensive jewelry. Action News went to their website and found a ring that sells for nearly $4,500, and a pendant that goes for $3,500.
The stolen jewelry was returned to J.C. Penney. Action News reached out to J.C. Penney for comment about the incident, but hasn't heard back.