OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — Oil City Police have arrested four individuals stemming from a recent jewelry theft.

Jewelry Theft from West Second Street Residence

The Oil City Police Department arrested 30-year-old Rachel Heath and 34-year-old Thomas J. Goodrich, both of Oil City. The arrests took place after an investigation into the theft of multiple pieces of gold and diamond and gemstone jewelry from a residence on West Second Street in the City of Oil City. The estimated value of the jewelry was $50,000.00.

Through the investigation, it was discovered that Rachel Heath was working as a cleaning person at a West Second Street residence. On Friday, December 8, 2017, while at the residence, Heath allegedly removed multiple pieces of gold, diamond, and gemstone jewelry. After obtaining the jewelry, Heath sold most of the items to “The Attic” located on East Second Street in Oil City, according to police.

On Wednesday, December 13, officers from the Oil City Police Department along with an agent from PA Board of Probation and Parole traveled to the residence of Thomas Jack Goodrich. Goodrich admitted to police that Heath provided him with a stolen ring, but he had given it to another known female. Other officers from the Oil City Police Department traveled to the known female’s residence, made contact with her, and obtained the ring back. Goodrich was subsequently taken into custody by PA Board of Probation and Parole.

Heath was arraigned at 4:00 p.m. on December 13 before Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish on the following charges:

– Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Felony 3
– Receiving Stolen Property, Felony 3

Unable to post $75,000.00 straight bail, she was committed to the Venango County Jail.

Goodrich was arraigned at 10:30 a.m. on December 14 in Judge Fish’s office on the following charges:

– Conspiracy — Receiving Stolen Property, Misdemeanor 1
– Receiving Stolen Property, Misdemeanor 1

Unable to post $25,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Venango County Jail.

Preliminary hearings are scheduled for this case on Wednesday, December 20, 2017, at 8:30 a.m. in front of Judge Fish.

Receiving Stolen Property Case

The Oil City Police Department arrested 49-year-old Robert Francis Piercy and 50-year-old Diana Lynn Barclay, both of Oil City.

The two were arrested after an investigation into a theft of multiple pieces of jewelry from a residence on West Second Street in the City of Oil City.

During the course of the investigation, it was found that Piercy and Barclay purchased multiple pieces of stolen jewelry at “The Attic” store located on East Second Street.

Furthermore, Piercy and Barclay failed to report pieces of the jewelry that were purchased and sent to another jewelry store in Erie, Pa., for personal alterations, according to police.

The pieces of jewelry that were sent to Erie were not reported to the police department as being purchased after officers did advise both Piercy and Barclay that items were stolen and provided them with the description as well as photographs of the jewelry that had been stolen, police say.

Piercy was arraigned at 2:45 p.m. on December 14 in Judge Fish’s office on the following charges:

– Criminal Conspiracy Engaging — Receiving Stolen Property, Misdemeanor 3
– Receiving Stolen Property, Misdemeanor 3
– Criminal Conspiracy Engaging — Tamper With/Fabricate Physical Evidence, Misdemeanor 2 (two counts)
– Tamper With/Fabricate Physical Evidence, Misdemeanor 2 (two counts)
– Records of Transactions — Property Description, Misdemeanor 3
– Dealers Retention Of Pm/Inspection, Misdemeanor 3

Barclay was arraigned on the following charges on December 14:

– Criminal Conspiracy Engaging — Receiving Stolen Property, Felony 3
– Receiving Stolen Property, Felony 3
– Criminal Conspiracy Engaging — Tamper With/Fabricate Physical Evidence, Misdemeanor 2
– Tamper With/Fabricate Physical Evidence, Misdemeanor 2 (two counts)
– Records of Transactions — Property Description, Misdemeanor 3
– Dealers Retention Of Pm/Inspection, Misdemeanor 3

Both defendants are free on $25,000.00 unsecured bail.

Preliminary hearings are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on December 20 with Judge Fish presiding.

According to Oil City Police Chief Robert Wenner, his officers had reports of thefts on two occasions, and they knew who the suspect was, so they began their investigation.

“Upon the arrest of Heath, officers learned of the ‘fencing’ of stolen property. We also came upon text messages that had information about the stolen property. Through this investigation, they determined that the items stolen were taken to the ‘Attic,'” explained Chief Wenner.

“Another point that helped the officers move forward with this investigation is the gold that was stolen. According to the gold laws, the items have to be held for five days and put in a registry. The items in question were purchased on December 9 and sold on December 10. Officers made contact with them (Piercy and Barclay) on December 11.”

“Officers learned of an ongoing conspiracy to ‘fence” the property through their investigation. Officers then discovered falsified documents and filed the charges against Piercy and Barclay.”

According to Chief Wenner, it was discovered that some of the items were traded for debt owed.

In addition, the stolen jewelry was high-end, one valued at $20,000.00.

Chief Wenner said he received a lot of cooperation from other businesses and the jewelry store in Erie.

“I am very proud of my people for the excellent job of investigating and their diligence in this case. Not only has the case been solved, but the victims will get their jewelry returned — the sentimental value is invaluable,” said Chief Wenner.

“My officers and I have received a great amount of support locally from citizens on many matters, and we will continue to do our best to serve the community,” stated Chief Wenner.