Police accuse homeless man of pawning Pine parents' jewelry, coins for nearly $5K

A Pine man is accused of pawning his parents’ jewelry and coins after they they let him sleep in a tent in the backyard and come into the house to eat and use the bathroom.

James Sergei Betts, 28, who is homeless, was charged by Northern Regional Police on Aug. 18 with a felony count of theft. He was being detained in the Allegheny County Jail in lieu of a $5,000 cash bond to await a preliminary hearing on Aug. 30 before District Judge William Wagner.

Police wrote in a criminal complaint that Betts’ father reported the theft of a gold bracelet and hoop earrings along with four gold coins from their Babcock Boulevard home. They said there was no sign of a break-in because the security system did not turn on.

The man told police that Betts is homeless, but since June he has been letting him sleep in a tent in the backyard and come in the house to eat and use the bathroom.

Police checked with pawn shops in the region and learned that Betts used his photo ID when he sold jewelry and coins on June 13, 17 and 27 and again on July 8 and Aug. 8, according to the complaint.

Investigators said Bettis pawned a gold bracelet, gold hoop earrings, three silver coins, nine silver chain necklaces, four gold chains and two pendants that belonged to his parents for $4,919, the complaint said.

Pawn shops typically loan between 25% and $60 of an item’s resale value, according to Nerdwallet and other online sources.

Police said a joint bank account Betts had with his parents showed a zero balance in May followed by deposits starting in July that totaled $4,660.

Betts’ parents told police that their son does not work or have any other source of income.

Police got a warrant for Betts’ arrest after they called and made arrangements for him to surrender at the police station but he failed to show up, the complaint said.