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Clermont woman, 48, charged in $400,000 jewelry theft case
Woman was watching victim's dogs and had access to house
Linda Waddell
Linda Waddell

Hall County sheriff's deputies recovered 22 pieces of jewelry worth $400,000 Friday after the arrest of a Clermont woman in connection to a burglary.

Linda Waddell, 48, was arrested Aug. 16 and charged with felony theft by receiving in connection to the Aug. 12 incident in the 6000 block of Mountain Meadow Drive in Clermont.

Sgt. Stephen Wilbanks, spokesman for the Hall County Sheriff's Office, said the suspect was an "acquaintance of the victim through some other parties."

"She had previous knowledge of the interior of the house," he said.

While the victim was in the hospital, Wilbanks said, Waddell was caring for the victim's pets.

During that time, the jewelry went missing and the victim reported the theft to police, Wilbanks said.

The victim "named (Waddell) as having access to the house while she was away," Wilbanks said.

Waddell was subsequently interviewed by police, who then charged her with the theft.

The sheriff's office is still investigating the incident. Wilbanks said additional charges could be forthcoming.