A Northeast Georgia realtor faces charges with two others following their arrests for an alleged burglary.
On Thursday afternoon, Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Investigators were following up on a reported burglary at the well-known “castle house” listed for sale in the 700 block of Patterson Gap Road. The victim, 69-year-old Laura Moon from Dillard, told deputies in her initial report that more than $28,000 in antiquities were stolen from the home the previous weekend.
The stolen property included a rare laurel timber and deer antler chair ($11,000), a suit of armor ($3000), a shield ($725), a sword ($275), as well as other expensive items.
Sting operation
A news release from the sheriff’s office states that Moon told investigators the thieves had been reaching out to her all day after discovering she had reported the theft to authorities.
“Moon and investigators were setting up a sting operation for the scheduled return when the thieves returned to the property early,” says RCSO Investigator Kevin Angell.
According to Angell, investigators detained the two men who arrived at the property in a red Dodge Ram that contained the stolen items. Investigators took the two men to the sheriff’s office for questioning and seized the vehicle as evidence.
Following six interviews, three search warrants, and the review of hours of surveillance video, Angell says investigators charged 42-year-old Richard Green from Eatonton and 34-year-old Lacey Oliver from Eatonton with first-degree burglary.
Angell says investigators determined the second male suspect was not involved in the original burglary and was unaware he was returning stolen goods.
Realtor arrested
Investigators also arrested the realtor, Maria Rodeghiero of Clayton, for obstructing or hindering law enforcement for her alleged involvement in arranging the return of the stolen property. Investigators say Rodeghiero attempted to broker a sale of some of the stolen items and advised the thieves how to remain undetected.
The 77-year-old Rodeghiero was one of the listing agents for the Patterson Gap property, says Angell. She is listed online as working with an Atlanta-based realty firm, but authorities say the firm has no connection to the alleged crime.
“This incident comes with all kinds of reminders that we as a community need to do a better job of securing our homes and being aware of who we allow access,” says Angell.
If you have additional information about this crime, contact RCSO Investigations at 706-960-9745.
