Iowa City dog sitter accused of jewelry theft

IOWA CITY - In the movies, cat burglars often make off with thousands of dollars in stolen jewelry.

In Iowa City, it's the dog sitter, police say.

According to an Iowa City police criminal complaint, a woman who offers in-home cleaning and dog sitting services to people in the Iowa City area stole more than $27,000 worth of jewelry from her clients over the course of nearly three years.

Police said between January 2014 and November 2016, Nina L. Furlong, 47, stole jewelry from eight of her clients, who gave her 'free rein” in their homes. Police served a search warrant at Furlong's Iowa City home on Dec. 9, 2016, and discovered stolen property belonging to her clients. Furlong also sold stolen jewelry at a local pawnshop, police said.

Police said Furlong admitted to taking jewelry from the eight homes. The total value of the jewelry was roughly $27,675.

Furlong was arrested Sunday and now faces one count of first-degree theft, a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com