Weekend Thefts: $260,000 Diamond Ring

Wilkesboro police are investigating what might be called the great diamond heist of 2008. On Friday afternoon, they were called to a home on Spring-Valley Drive, and told a diamond ring was missing. Not just any diamond ring, mind you -- a 16.22-carat diamond was mounted to the ring, with an estimated value of over 260-thousand dollars, according to the crime report. Marie Whitworth told officers she had gone out about 9 the previous morning and remembers seeing the ring in her nightstand. She remembers entering the garage door code and seeing the garage door close. An ex-employee who now works for her son came over sometime between 9 and 2 to give the dogs a bath. While that person is the only one Whitworth knows that was in the house, she tells police she does not believe the woman is the thief. She did not set the alarm before she left, because she knew the woman was coming over. The missing ring is described as having the large diamond along with a sapphire band. The estimate of the ring's current value was made by her insurance agency, and Whitworth was insured for only about 60-percent of the ring's value. Police are continuing their investigation.