'You've been violated:' Dewey woman says $50,000 of priceless jewelry burglarized from home

A Dewey woman had $50,000 worth of jewelry stolen from her home.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says it is investigating and has some suspects in mind.

WHAT HAPPENED

Shelley Koster was out of town for Memorial Day, when her son came home to find the back door open and her jewelry cabinet empty.

She never thought something like this would happen.

“I was born and raised here,” said Koster. “I love this community. The last thing that I want is this to happen to somebody else, because it’s one of those feelings, when you go home, it’s such an empty feeling and a feeling of you’ve been violated so bad.”

PRICELESS ITEMS

She says some of her items are irreplaceable.

“It was given to me by my husband on our 20th year anniversary,” said Koster. “Which was 17 years ago. And the crazy thing about it, is I wore this necklace every day.”

CATCHING THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE

She believes she knows at least one of the people who was responsible.

“It’s not the enemies or the thieves that come in your back door, it’s the people you love and trust you let in your front door,” said Koster.

HOPING FOR JUSTICE

Koster wants justice to happen sooner rather than later, because she’s worried these people will do the same thing to someone else.

“I would love to get those things, those items, that mean the most to me, the most sentimental value to me,” said Koster. “I would love to get the people caught that are responsible for it, even if we have to do it one criminal at a time. And then I would love for them to be held accountable.”

THE INVESTIGATION

Undersheriff Jon Copeland with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office says it is actively investigating, and they have a few people they suspect may be involved.

"We have to go back and piece things together,” said Copeland. “That comes through evidence, whether it be real, whether it be digital, whether it be statements from different people."

He says it takes a while for all those pieces to come together to make a strong case.

"Ultimately, our deputies work at thinking about trial,” said Copeland. “It's not so much about getting the arrest, or getting probable cause for the arrest, it's beyond that. Thinking about, do I have enough to garner a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt."

WHAT’S NEXT

Koster says she is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the return of her items.

If you have any information that could help investigators you are asked to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

You can find information on how to do that here: https://www.washingtoncosheriff.com/