A northeast Georgia real estate agent has been arrested and charged along with two others on theft charges.
On Thursday afternoon, Laban County Sheriff’s Office investigators were investigating a reported burglary at the well-known “Castle Home” that was listed for sale in the 700 block of Patterson Gap Road. In her initial report, the victim, Laura Moon, 69, of Dillard, told deputies that more than $28,000 in antiques had been stolen from the home over the past weekend.
The stolen items included high-value items such as a chair made from rare laurel wood and antler ($11,000), a suit of armor ($3,000), a shield ($725) and a sword ($275).
Undercover Operation
Moon told investigators that the thieves had been contacting him throughout the day after learning he had reported the thefts to authorities, the sheriff’s office said in a release.
“Moon and his agents had been preparing a sting operation for their scheduled return, when the burglars returned to the home earlier than planned,” said RCSO Investigator Kevin Angell.
Angell said investigators detained two men who arrived on the scene in a red Dodge Ram loaded with stolen property. Investigators took them to the sheriff’s office for questioning and seized the vehicle as evidence.
Angell said after six interviews, three search warrants and reviewing hours of surveillance footage, investigators charged Richard Green, 42, and Lacey Oliver, 34, both of Eatonton, with first-degree burglary.
Angell said investigators determined the second male suspect was not involved in the initial theft and was not aware that he was returning stolen property.
Real estate agent arrested
Investigators also arrested Maria Rodeghiero, a real estate agent from Clayton, on charges of obstruction of law enforcement for her role in arranging the return of the stolen items, and for attempting to buy and sell some of the items and advising the thieves how to avoid being caught, investigators said.
Rodeggio, 77, was one of the agents who brokered the Paterson Gap property, Angell said. She is listed online as working for an Atlanta-based real estate company, but authorities have said the company has no connection to the crime.
“This incident is a reminder that we as a community need to do a better job of securing our homes and being mindful of who we allow into our homes,” Angell said.
If you have any additional information about this crime, please contact RCSO Investigations at 706-960-9745.
