Tennessee man charged for trying to sell stolen $95K diamond ring in Georgia

ACWORTH, Ga. - A Tennessee man was arrested after trying to sell a diamond ring valued just under a $100,000, Acworth police said.

Police said a man walked into Celestial Jewelers on November 4 saying he wanted to sell a ring. 

Co-owner Rhonda Brummett took one look at the ring and admits she was a bit surprised. 

"We've had some large stones in here, but that took the cake for sure. It was a 9.5 carat marquise, a very large stone, very impressive, not something you see everyday even in the jewelry business. It would be in the rage of about $95,000 for the diamond and the ring," said Brummett. 

The man told her he had driven from Chattanooga to see if he could sell it. Brummett said she knew something was not right so she asked for documentation about the diamond. She said the man showed her a picture on his phone of an appraisal. 

"The name was cut off and part of the address was cut off, but there was enough where I could look it up," said Brummett. 

Surveillence video from the Celestial Jewelers in Acworth shows a man police say tried to sell a stolen diamond ring worth tens of thousands of dollars on Nov. 4, 2022.

Brummett did an internet search of the address and found a phone number. 

"My business partner called and said hey, are you missing any jewelry and they said you mean a 9 and a half carat diamond?" said Brummett. 

The man on the phone said it belonged to his 90-year-old mother. The ring had been stolen in a burglary. 

Police were called. Brummett stalled the man until they arrived. 

"The owners did a great job with stalling and investigating on their end and were able to communicate with us," said Acworth Police Officer Eric Mistretta. 

Brandon McNeece (Cobb County Sheriff's Office)

Police arrested 41-year-old Brandon McNeece, of Whitwell, Tennessee. He is charged with Theft by Bringing Stolen Property into the state, Receiving Stolen Property greater than $1,500.00, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of Methamphetamine.

Police said the motorcycle McNeece drove from Tennessee was also stolen. 

McNeece was booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center on a $110,220 bond.

"We're very honest here, we all believe in karma and doing the right thing and we're very excited that we had an opportunity to right a wrong," said Brummett.