A Bristol, Tenn., man has been arrested after allegedly stealing jewelry from his grandmother's home on two separate occasions in less than two weeks, reportedly admitting he did so to support his drug habit.
The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office says Nicholas A. Bowman, 25, of 117 Pemberton Court, was arrested Monday. He is charged with aggravated burglary and theft over $500.
On Oct. 9 police received a report of theft at a home on Ridgemont Street in Bristol, Tenn., where several pieces of jewelry were taken. Eleven days later police responded to the home again, finding someone had forced entry into the residence.
The victim reportedly stated several more pieces of jewelry were missing following the burglary, and she suspected a relative in the incidents.
SCSO detectives began investigating the case and located some of the stolen items at Gold Buyers on the Volunteer Parkway. Police say additional stolen pieces were found at Southern Gold Traders in Bristol, Va. In transactions at each business Bowman, the victim's grandson, was documented as the seller.
Bowman was located and questioned about the thefts, allegedly admitting to stealing and selling the jewelry to support his methamphetamine habit. He was arrested and booked into the jail in Blountville.
The SCSO reports he also has outstanding warrants for identity theft out of Bristol, Tenn.