A man working as an employee for an air duct cleaning business allegedly robbed a Scottsdale woman of her $40,000 wedding ring and tried to pawn it for just $600.
Scottsdale Police report that on July 8, a woman who lives in the area of 101st Street and Thunderbird Road contacted them saying that someone stole a diamond wedding from her home. The victim told police that the ring, valued between $40,000 and $50,000, was hidden in a cup in a cabinet under the bathroom sink while men were in her home cleaning her air ducts.
Police say one of the employees, 48-year-old Paul Allen Cannon, had an extensive pawn history -- 80 pawn transactions in the past year, most of which was women's jewelry. He also has prior felony convictions for robbery and armed robbery.
Cannon allegedly pawned two more women's rings on July 18, but neither belonged the victim. However, a few days later police got word that Cannon pawned a ring for $600. The ring matched the description of the ring they were looking for. Police went to the pawn shop in Mesa and took a picture of the ring to have the victims identify it.
Police located and arrested Cannon near 40th Street and Roeser Road on August 9.
Cannon allegedly admitted to police that he stole the ring, saying he was homeless and needed the money.
Cannon has been charged with theft and trafficking in stolen property.
