A JCPenney employee was arrested Friday after admitting to police she stole more than $160,000 in jewelry, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff Office.
Officers were called to the JCPenney at the Avenues Mall by loss prevention personnel who began monitoring employees in the jewelry department after a finding of $190,000 in merchandise was missing.
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According to the police report, while questioning employee Marie Hodang, 41, she admitted to stealing over $160,000 worth of jewelry.
Police say the employee was caught on camera taking several pieces of jewelry. Thousands of dollars in cash were found in her personal locker, and several pieces of jewelry were found in her vehicle, including keys to safety deposit boxes that contained more cash.
Officers searching Hodang's house found $160,382 in stolen jewelry.
When later questioned, Hodang claimed she paid for some of the jewelry using her employee discount.
Hodang has no prior convictions.