House Guest Steals $10,000 in Jewelry and Cash, Police Say

She didn’t know his last name and wasn’t sure how he was related, but a Palmer Township woman told police she suspected this male family member had stolen $600 when he visited her home on two days in November.

By the time police finished their investigation, Colton Clark, 18, of Easton had admitted to taking the money, explaining he was struggling to support his new baby and was also addicted to heroin, court records say.

He was charged Thursday with theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. 

This is the second time recently that Clark has been accused of stealing from someone with whom he appears to be acquainted.

He was arraigned Jan. 27 on charges of stealing more than $10,000 in jewelry, valuable coins and money from a Forks Township home where he was a weekend house guest.

In the Palmer case, a criminal complaint filed by Det. Thomas Vogel says the following:

--An officer was dispatched to the woman’s home on the 800 block of Stones Crossing Road. She said she keeps her money in a top dresser drawer in her bedroom. On Nov. 11, a Sunday, and Nov. 14, a “relation” named Colton came to her house with his girlfriend and a baby.

--On both days, she said, Colton said he had to use his phone and walked into her bedroom while she stayed in the family room with the girlfriend and baby. On Nov. 15, she noticed all her money – about $550 in cash and $50 in wrapped coins – was missing from the dresser drawer. She called police.

--She said Colton was the only person – not including her – who had been in her bedroom.

--On Nov. 26, the woman’s daughter contacted another Palmer officer and said Colton lives with his father and a woman on the 800 block of Spring Garden Street in Easton.

--Vogel eventually obtained a driver’s license photo and the next day visited the woman, who confirmed “her relative” was the same person in the photo – Colton Clark.

--About two months passed, and on Jan. 31, Vogel learned Clark was in Northampton County Prison on charges related to the alleged Forks Township theft. He interviewed Clark that day, and Clark admitted to stealing the money and talked about his baby and heroin addiction.

--Clark said he did not know the exact amount he took from the dresser drawer, but estimated it was $500 cash and $30 in coins. He was off by $50 and $20, respectively.

Clark was arraigned Thursday by District Judge Joseph Barner of Lower Nazareth Township. Bail was set at $1,000.