Oct 11, 2013 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – A Washington County man was charged with stealing money and jewelry from a home in which he was staying last July.

State police charged James Stewart Hammond, 34, whose last known address was 271 Buffalo Road, Oct. 9 with theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. The victim, police said, is Michelle Trout, 101 Sugar Camp Road, Waynesburg, who is Hammond’s aunt by marriage.

According to a criminal complaint filed with Greene County Magisterial District Judge Glenn Bates, Trout told police she let Hammond move in around July 22. Trout said on one occasion when she returned home, she placed her purse containing $1,800 beside her bed and the next morning the money was gone. Trout said only she and Hammond were in the residence that evening.

Trout also told police Hammond collected $325 rent from a tenant of hers, claiming she had sent him. Trout said she never asked him to collect any rent money and she never received the money he allegedly collected. Trout’s tenant, James Zablotny, confirmed the transaction took place.

According to police, Hammond allegedly sold several pieces of jewelry to the Jewelry Depot, 1120 Jefferson Ave., Washington, on four occasions between July 24 and Aug. 13. Store owner Debbie Naser provided police with documentation for the items.

Among the items recovered were a .60 carat diamond from an engagement ring, a diamond wedding band, a silver cubic zirconia ring, a silver charm with dad on it and ashes inside, a 14 karat gold diamond wedding band, a 14 karat gold diamond engagement ring, and a white gold diamond cluster ring still. Naser estimated the total retail value of these items at $3,060. These pieces were then identified by Trout at the state police barracks in Waynesburg.

Hammond has yet to be arraigned on the charges.