Burglary victim searches Valley for jewelry

One of the victims in a rash of Eagle River-area burglaries believes those responsible are trying to sell items in the Mat-Su Valley because pawnshops here are not regulated as tightly as in Anchorage.

Pam Juback, who lives off Eagle River Road east of Eagle River, is among 50 people whose homes have been broken into during the past six weeks. Thieves hit her residence Dec. 2, taking nine pieces of jewelry.

Juback has been talking to pawnshop owners in the Valley in hopes of recovering some of her possessions. Last week, she said, one shop owner recalled someone bringing in two distinctive rings that matched the descriptions of those belonging to Juback. They weren't pawned, Juback said, because the woman who brought them into the shop wanted more money than was offered.

Juback said Anchorage pawnshops are required to provide police with a list of items they acquire each week. The Mat-Su Borough has no such requirement.

However, a Wasilla pawnshop manager, who asked not to be named, said all transactions require a person to provide identification. That in itself usually prevents criminals from trying to get rid of stolen goods in pawnshops, he said. It's more likely that they'll take the merchandise to second-hand stores, which don't require identification for purchases, or simply sell the items on the street, the shop manager said.

However, Juback is doing all she can to recover her jewelry. She's particularly upset about the loss for sentimental reasons.

One of the rings belonged to her grandmother, Juback said. It's a white gold dinner ring with oval-shaped filigree and nine European-cut diamonds. It was easily identified by the pawnshop owner, she said, because the back of the band has been soldered in a unique way. The other ring recognized by the shop owner was a thick gold band with baguette-cut quartz in size seven-eight.

Other items stolen from her home include a yellow gold wedding set soldered together and featuring what looks like a flower with petals; an 18-karat mother's ring with yellow topaz in size seven with emerald, rhodolite and diamond chips; a gold ring with diamonds in size seven; a white gold necklace inlaid with multiple cut quartz stones with matching bracelet; two blue topaz rings; two gold braid necklaces; and two silver Tri-Delt rings.

"I'd be happy if I could just get back my grandmother's ring and my wedding ring," Juback said. "With as many places as they've hit, the police are overwhelmed."

She said an Anchorage police officer told her one of the suspects may live in the Valley.

On Monday, Anchorage police arrested 21-year-old Jason Delpriora in connection with two of the 50 burglaries. Delpriora, of Anchorage, was charged with two counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree theft, and one count each of third- and fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was lodged in Anchorage Jail on $10,000 bail.

Up to six burglaries have been reported in a single neighborhood in one day, according to police. The burglaries occur during the day and follow the same pattern, with front doors having been kicked in. Stolen items include jewelry, guns and electronic equipment as well as cash.

The suspects are described as 18 to 24 years old. Juback says they are brazen in their approach.

"They even hit a cop's house in Eagle River," she said.