Liz Rhea and her late husbandBy Nick Beres
MURFREESBORO, Tenn.- Thieves targeted a well-known Murfreesboro
philanthropist stealing more than $100,000 dollars' worth of jewelry from her
home.
For years, Liz Rhea has made significant donations to various charities and
groups from MTSU to hospitals to the United Way.
"I just wanted to give back to the community ... to give my time,
talent and treasure," said Rhea.
But the 79-year-old widow was shaken to learn thieves broke into her home
and stole a variety of diamond, gold and opal jewelry.
Murfreesboro Police reported this is just the latest jewel theft in recent
weeks. The thieves have targeted gem stones and gold, leaving behind
electronics, guns and even cash.
"They were very picky and specific about the items they took,"
said Maj. Clyde Adkison with the Murfreesboro Police department.
Jewel experts said that such large opals and diamonds will be hard for the
thieves to fence, but there are ways.
"They could take stones out, melt the gold, reset the diamonds and even
cut the large stones into smaller ones," said jeweler Jeff Mullins.
Rhea would like the jewels back, but more importantly said she wants the thieves
caught. She is offering a reward of $10,000 dollars to anyone who provides
information to police that leads to an arrest.
