44-year-old Joshua Powell was arrested by the Flagler County Sheriff’s this month for allegedly stealing jewelry from residents of the apartment complex where he worked, the FCSO announced Friday. Powell, a resident of the Samsula community in Putnam County, is accused of taking residents’ valuables and selling them for a profit.
The FCSO was first contacted about the thefts on December 22nd, when a victim reported they’d had several items of jewelry taken from their Tuscan Reserve apartment. They told the FCSO Communications Center that there didn’t appear to be any clear signs of a break-in, and that the only person who could’ve had access was the complex’s maintenance worker.
An investigation into the stolen jewelry was begun, while the victim reportedly discovered a lead on her own. The day after she first called in the theft, she again called the FCSO saying she’d found some of her stolen jewelry at a Bunnell pawn shop. Deputies went to the shop and obtained a receipt of sale for the jewelry, giving them their suspect: Joshua Powell.
Further investigation reportedly revealed that Powell had been to ten pawn shops between Flagler and Volusia counties to sell 33 items from November 4th to that point. Most of the transactions had been women’s jewelry. Powell was arrested on January 13th, charged with four counts of false verification of ownership, four counts of dealing in stolen property, and one each of burglary and criminal mischief.
The FCSO in their report included a notice that they’re still looking for more potential victims of Powell’s alleged crimes. Tuscan Reserve residents who think they may have had valuables stolen by him are asked to contact the FCSO’s non-emergency line by dialing (386) 313-4911. The case number is 2025-109737.
“This man was trusted to access people’s apartments and betrayed that trust and stole from them,” said Sheriff Rick Staly about the situation. “Detectives are hard at work seeking additional victims to make sure this dirtbag is held accountable for all his crimes. I encourage all Tuscan Reserve Apartments residents to double check and make sure that nothing is missing and if it is try to recover your property.”
