Women accused of stealing $20K worth of jewelry

Two women were taken into custody this week after being accused of stealing over $20,000 worth of jewelry from people whose houses they cleaned.

Amy Renee Fretwell, 24, Fox Ridge Apartments, Russellville, was arrested Monday and charged with first-degree theft of property and first-degree receiving stolen property.

Also arrested was Lisa Neal Winstead, 41, 28 Twin Lake Dr., Russellville, on charges of first-degree receiving stolen property, second-degree receiving stolen property, first-degree theft of property and second-degree theft of property.

According to Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett, police received a report from the victim on Dec. 10 stating she had discovered near $20,000 worth of jewelry was missing from her home and identified two ladies who cleaned her home were the only ones she knew that had access to the jewelry.

During the course of the investigation, Hargett said Fretwell confessed to taking at least one item from the victim’s home and implicated Winstead in the other thefts.

Hargett said officers obtained a search warrant on Thursday for a residence connected to the women where many pieces of jewelry were found, some of which have been identified by the victim.

Hargett said other victims who also had their homes cleaned by Winstead and Fretwell have come forward during the investigation and reported jewelry missing from their homes as well.

RPD investigator Lt. Scotty Lowery said the two women could face additional charges from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

At press time, Fretwell was in custody on a $4,000 bond. Winstead was in custody on a $13,000 bond.