GARDENS OF GULF COVE — Charlotte County Sheriff’s detectives arrested one of two people involved in a theft of $13,550 in jewelry from a Gardens of Gulf Cove home Oct. 17 and pawned items at two businesses. Arrested Wednesday was Dolores Irene Rose Nicoletti, 21, of the 6300 block of Granger Road, Gardens of Gulf Cove. Her boyfriend, Benjamin Paul Hochmuth, 24, of the same address, was to be arrested this morning but failed to show up in court to face Oct. 17 drug charges. He was released Oct. 21 and is avoiding arrest. The victim, of the 6400 block of Facet Lane, reported several pieces of very unique gold jewelry were taken from her home between Aug. 15 and Oct. 17. The victim also told deputies the only people allowed in her home the past few months were Nicoletti and Hochmuth.

Detectives checked area pawn and jewelry store records to see if the couple had pawned jewelry items. They discovered several transactions for both Nicoletti and Hochmuth from Aug. 1 to Oct. 22. A ring was identified by the victim that was pawned Aug. 22 at Englewood Jewelers, 2411 South McCall Road. Detectives obtained the transaction form with a copy of Hochmuth’s driver’s license and thumb print. Two other transactions involving sale of three gold items were located at Brooks Jewelers, 1500 Placida Road, Englewood. They were sold by Nicoletti. Detectives obtained copies of the form with her photo ID and thumb print. CCSO Forensic Unit detectives confirmed Nicoletti’s and Hochmuth’s thumb prints from previous arrests. Detectives said Nicoletti was charged with grand theft, dealing in stolen property and false verification of ownership. Hochmuth will face the same charges once he is apprehended. If anyone has information on the whereabouts of Hochmuth, please call the CCSO at 941-639-2101, or Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477).