Man Accused of Stealing Valuable Jewelry from his Grandmother

A Brookfield man is facing felony charges after he allegedly stole $22,000 worth of his grandmother’s jewelry.

Joseph J. Nohelty, 23, was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court Tuesday with one count of theft of more than $10,000 in moveable property. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and $25,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

Nohelty began staying with his grandmother at her Brookfield home because he had been getting in trouble and she wanted to get him “on the right path.” But on Sunday, when she went to retrieve some of her jewelry she noticed 13 items were missing.

Items missing from her collection included a diamond bracelet valued at $12,000, a diamond ring valued at $5,000 and an engagement ring valued at $2,000 and various other pieces ranging in values of $900 to $30.

On Monday, Nohelty went to spend time with his girlfriend, the complaint alleges, so his grandmother checked his backpack and located two of the missing pieces of jewelry. When questioned by officers, Nohelty denied stealing the items and said he purchased them at a nearby Goodwill Store. Officers also searched Nohelty and allegedly found a business card for a West Allis pawn shop.

Nohelty is being held in Waukesha County Jail on $5,000 cash bail.