Two Accused in Jewelry Store Thefts

A man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from jewelry stores in Sussex and Delafield.

Anna Marie Davis, 33, of Milwaukee, and David M. Ries, 26, of Germantown, were charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Wednesday with one count of theft of more than $5,000 in moveable property. If convicted, they each face up to three years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

On Aug. 22, Ries went into Meredith Jewelers, 2566 Sun Valley Drive, Delafield, and asked to look at engagement rings, saying he wanted to spend between $10,000 and $12,000. An employee helped Ries for more than 30 minutes looking at stuff, then Ries asked to see another set.

When the employee turned to get the other items, Ries grabbed two rings and a diamond off the counter and ran out the door. The employee began to chase Ries, but stopped for fear he was armed.

While Delafield police officers were investigating the incident, they learned the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department was investigating a similar theft that had recently taken place in Sussex. During the incident a witness got a license plate number for a car that was traced back to Davis.

Investigators then went to jewelry stores in Greenfield and Milwaukee where they found the stolen items and discovered Ries and Davis had been in the stores selling the items.

Davis told officers she at first didn’t know Ries stole the rings, but later realized after giving him rides to both stores. Ries admitted taking the items and reselling them, saying he needed money to buy his children school supplies.

Davis will make her initial appearance in court Friday and Ries will make his initial appearance Jan. 14.