Hoschton police searched two Commerce houses last week as part of an investigation involving stolen jewelry.
A Hoschton woman said she hired two Commerce men to replace sinks in her bathroom. The woman said she bragged about the work of the men — until she noticed that her “high end” jewelry was missing, according to Hoschton police.
A woman who cleans the victim’s house suggested the two men for the job, according to an incident report. While one of the suspects kept the victim occupied in one room of the house, the other suspect was alone in the bathroom July 23.
The victim later noticed that a diamond pendant, pair of diamond earrings, a gold necklace with a diamond cluster, and a set of sapphire ring, earrings and pendant were missing. She also said items in her dresser were moved around.
The victim called the house cleaner as soon as she noticed that the items were missing, police said. The house cleaner then called the two suspects, who denied involvement in the crime.
Thomas Franklin Slater, 41, of 259 Spring Street, Commerce, and Jason Michael Morris, 38, of 1481 Hospital Road, Commerce, were later charged with theft by taking by Hoschton police.
Hoschton and Commerce police later searched the suspects’ Commerce properties and additional charges were made.
Slater and Morris were charged by Commerce police with possession of methamphetamine, and Morris with possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Police found residue of meth at the Morris residence, along with a 9 mm pistol and a .22 rifle; and residue of meth on Slater’s property.
Hoschton police continue to investigate the case and say additional charges are possible against a third person.
For all the arrests and incidents reported by the Commerce Police Department, see the Aug. 20 issue of The Commerce News.
