News

Actions

Infamous 84-year-old jewel thief named in NC mall heist

Posted at 8:25 AM, Jul 21, 2015
and last updated 2015-07-21 09:32:35-04

Charlotte, NC – An 84-year-old world-renowned serial jewel thief is believed to be the prime suspect in a recent jewel theft from a North Carolina mall.

Doris Payne has been stealing high-end jewelry across the world for more than 50 years. Her crimes have been traced to Greece, Britain, France, Switzerland, Monte Carlo and the United States.

According to WSOC, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department believes that Payne took a $33,000 diamond engagement ring from David Yurman jewelers at South Park Mall on July 11th.

The police department did not confirm that to WSOC but the station obtained a copy of an email sent from police to several local jewelers following the heist.
The email to local jewelers states that a Tiffany & Co. employee saw Payne and tried to alert another employee at David Yurman, but it was too late.

Payne has served prison time, and was apparently released within the last year.  USA Today has reported that actress Halle Berry was considering playing her in a movie about her life story.