Police: Easton Teen Stole $10K in Jewels, Coins

An Easton teenager who had been a weekend houseguest at a home in Forks Township is accused of stealing more than $10,000 in jewelry, valuable coins and money from his host’s safe, according to court papers.

Colton James Clark, 18, of 803 Spring Garden St., was a guest at the home of Denise Nagrodski, 733 Arndt Road in Forks Township from Friday until the time of the alleged theft – noon Sunday, according to the arrest affidavit.

The warrant goes on to describe the alleged theft like this:

• Clark asked Nagrodski to allow him to have access to her safe to store important papers. After Nagrodski opened the safe, Clark told Nagrodski that there was some kind of emergency involving his infant in her living room.
• Nagrodski left the room and safe unsecured for 15 minutes. When she returned she noticed several items missing, including a heart-shaped diamond engagement ring valued at $9,000, a gold ring valued at $500, a diamond and sapphire tennis bracelet valued at $1,195 and “numerous collectible coins and currency exceeding $2,000.”
• Nagrodski called police at about 12:30 p.m. Sunday to report the theft. While police were interviewing her, Clark called her to tell her “He remembered the coins were at his house.” He said he would bring them back to her.
• “Upon further investigation, Clark admitted to taking the jewelry and pawning it off somewhere along 25th Street.”

Clark was charged with theft and receiving stolen property, both felonies. He was arraigned before on-duty District Judge Nancy Matos-Gonzalez of Bethlehem and committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail.