Housekeeper Confesses On Camera To Stealing Jewelry From Elderly Edmond Woman

An Edmond woman's prized valuables were discovered in pawn shops across the metro, according to Edmond police. Oklahoma County prosecutors charged Larchella Bryant, 59, this week for the theft of nearly $30,000 in jewelry. Edmond police released to News 9 the suspect’s recorded confession. 

The suspect willingly went to the Edmond Police Department in February for questioning. During that interview Bryant confessed to taking her client’s jewelry over a two year period while she worked as the elderly woman’s housekeeper.

Bryant was seen on camera in the police department’s interview room with an investigator. At first Bryant denied taking the 72-year-old victim's jewelry box and valuables.

“The only jewelry box that I ever see in her house is brown and it’s on her dresser and when I dust,” said Larchella Bryant, suspect. “But a pink one? No, I’ve never seen a pink one.” 

Police said the jewelry was worth thousands, but to the victim, it was priceless. 

“Her late husband gave her a lot of these pieces,” said Emily Ward with the Edmond Police Department. “They have sentimental value to her, and you can’t put a price tag on that.” 

Police said the suspect sold the jewelry to several pawn shops across the metro. Bryant broke when she was confronted with the evidence of her likeness on pawn shop security video and her signed name on paperwork.

“Every time I would get like maybe two or three pieces of jewelry I would go to this pawn shop,” said Bryant. “Lady would check it, give me the money and I would pay a bill.”

Investigators were able to get some of the victim's property back but most of the priceless pieces are gone.

“A lot of these things have likely been sold or melted down,” said Ward.  

Police said this may only be the beginning of a much larger case against Bryant.

“She had worked at a few other retirement centers in the past and while she was working at those places there was jewelry reported stolen,” said Ward. “We suspect she’s probably been doing this for quite some time, taking advantage of the elderly.” 

Bryant was charged with one count of exploitation of elderly person and two counts of false declaration of ownership in a pawn shop. Both are felony crimes. Bryant was not in custody at last check. However, a warrant for her arrest was filed this week.