Theft victim says authorities could have done more

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WALA) - Felicia Penn said more than $5,000 worth of jewelry was stolen from her home in January, but she doesn’t believe police did all they could to help recover it.

A month later, police said they are continuing the investigation but they can’t question the suspect, Melissa Harrison, because she is dead.

Penn said Harrison came to stay with her in December. Soon after, Penn noticed some cash and her driver's license were missing. She kicked Harrison out on Jan. 17.

Penn said, a few days later, she noticed more than just cash had disappeared and filed a police report on Jan. 22 for the thousands of dollars of jewelry she noticed missing.

“My husband’s father’s Masonic ring, my husbands’ fathers’ initial ring, an engagement ring I had I was going to give to my daughter and a diamond tennis bracelet I was also going to give to my daughter, I don't have those things anymore,” Penn said.

Penn said some of her jewelry was recovered at Eddie’s Pawn Shop in Daphne but she said there is still some missing.

The owner of Gold Mine Pawn Shop showed FOX10 records indicating that Harrison sold jewelry to the store on Jan. 12, ten days before Penn realized it was missing.

Records show an e-mail was sent to Fairhope Police Jan. 19, detailing who brought in merchandise and what they either sold or pawned at the store that week. The pawn shop owner said they didn't hear from police so, after 15 business days, on Feb. 1, the jewelry was turned to scrap.

“We hold everything for 15 business days which would be about three weeks after we take the merchandise in to make sure we give police adequate time to ensure it's not stolen,” said the owner of Gold Mine Pawn Shop, Tom Hand.

Fairhope police said, “There’s not an order on which we review those reports we just look at them as they are coming in on a daily basis.”

Police would not comment on if or when they received an e-mail from Gold Mine Pawn Shop with Melissa Harrison’s name on it but said the case is still under investigation.

Penn maintains that she feels helpless, and doesn't believe the pawn shop or police did all they could to help her as a victim.