Lisa Darlene Glaze, 50, a paramedic in Arkansas has been arrested for allegedly cutting a 1.7-carat diamond ring from a deceased woman’s finger at a hospital. She is accused of selling the ring (valued at roughly $8,000) at a pawnshop for $45.
Gloria Robinson was wearing a single marquis cut diamond ring with a gold band when she was transported to St. Vincent Hot Springs Hospital. According to the Sentinel-Record, when her personal effects were handed over to the family, her sister asked Glaze about three missing rings but she says they “did not answer her and walked away.”
While two rings were discovered, the sister and Robinson’s husband found the ring at the Hot Springs Classic Guns and Pawn.
Robinson was charged with a felony count of theft by receiving over $5,000 and a misdemeanor count of unlawful transfer of stolen property to a pawnshop.
I am curious about the single felony count for theft. The violation of a position of trust or authority is often considered in sentencing. However, this would seem a more serious case than theft when someone used police or emergency care authority to victimize helpless or deceased victims. This was a crime that victimized an entire family. Obviously, that could be raised at sentencing but it will be interesting to see what enhancement is applied, particularly if there is a plea.