Elizabeth Jo Christmas
A Shelbyville, Tn., jewelry store operator has been charged with the theft of jewelry worth $353,000 from a Signal Mountain psychiatrist.
Dr. John Kington said he suspected either his girlfriend, 60-year-old Elizabeth Jo Christmas, or his housekeeper. He said it wasn't the housekeeper.
Ms. Christmas was taken to the Hamilton County Jail on a charge of theft over $60,000.
Dr. Kington reported the theft of six watches, two rings and a bracelet from his Walden home on July 12.
The psychiatrist said he has had a relationship with Ms. Christmas for several years. He said she is also in the walking horse business and had fallen on hard financial times.
He said McCleish Benham, son of Ms. Christmas, had called him to say that his mother had the jewelry and said the items had been given to her.
Dr. Kington was told the items had been sold to Nashville Gold and Diamond Market on Charlotte Pike in Nashville.
A county detective said he called the jewelry store, but was treated rudely by the man who answered the phone. He said the store apparently then tipped off Ms. Christmas that there was an investigation.
Dr. Kington said he drove to the Nashville jewelry store and spotted the distinctive Mercedes convertible belonging to Ms. Christmas in the parking lot. He said Ms. Christmas rang his cell phone, asking what he was up to.
Ms. Christmas was arrested at her store in Shelbyville. She denied taking any jewelry from Dr. Kington.