Township Man Allegedly Steals Rings After Asking to Use Bathroom

A 20-year township man allegedly stole jewelry from a Liberty Corner residence after asking to use an upstairs bathroom.

James Davis, 20, of Brookside Avenue in Basking Ridge, is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday after being charged Thursday with one count of theft from a building.

Police received a theft report on Jan. 5 from a Liberty Corner Road resident that two men's rings had been allegedly taken from the home on Jan. 3 between 1 to 2 p.m.

The resident told police that an individual who had access to the home at that time might be responsible for the theft of the two rings, valued at about $1,300, according to the police report.

Based on that information, police said an investigation was started, and detectives Robert Herndon and Tim King interviewed Davis at police headquarters. 

During the interview, Davis allegedly told police he had gone to the Liberty Corner Road home on Jan. 3, with the intent to steal jewelry from a family member, according to the police report.

Police said Davis allegedly admitted he stole the two rings after asking that family member if he could use an upstairs bathroom in the residence. According to his statement, Davis allegedly said he did not use the bathroom and instead entered an upstairs bedroom where he searched for jewelry to steal.

Davis supposedly found two rings in the bedroom and allegedly left the residence with both pieces of jewelry a short time later, police said. Later in the day, Davis sold the rings for $200 cash at a gold stand in the Bridgewater Commons Mall, according to police.

Police said Davis later surrendered at township police headquarters on Thursday, Feb. 3. According to the police report, Herndon placed Davis under arrest on a charge of one count of theft. Davis was served with a complaint summons and provided a court date in Bernards Township Municipal Court.

No bail was set and Davis was released on his own recognizance, police reported.

The rings were not able to be recovered, police said.