Stolen ring with initials led to arrest of mover in $29K theft case, AZ cops say

A man accused of stealing $29,000 worth of jewelry while working as a mover has been arrested, Arizona police said.

On Sept. 15, the homeowner called officers about a theft after a moving company worked at the home, according to an Oct. 14 Facebook post by the Paradise Valley Police Department.

One of the movers, later identified as 32-year-old Makale Winfield, stole three rings and sold them to a Phoenix pawn shop, which is about a 15-mile drive southwest from Paradise Valley, officers said.

Those rings matched the description of the stolen rings, with one of them having the victim’s initials and the others matching the photos provided by the homeowner, police said.

Cell phone data obtained from Winfield’s phone showed he had been at the victim’s home and at the pawn shop, officers said.

Surveillance footage showed Winfield completing the sale at the pawn shop, police said.

During his interview with investigators, Winfield said he stole a ring and sold it while working as a mover, officers said.

He was arrested and is facing charges of felony theft as the property was valued over $25,000 and trafficking in stolen property, police said.

Officers urge the public to remember to secure their valuables when having home services present.