FROM STAFF REPORTS

A Texas woman faces a felony larceny charge in connection with the theft of jewelry and clothing from a home in southern Iredell County.

Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest of Athena Lian Wattanakone, 25, of Richland Hills, Texas, in a news release.

ICSO deputies responded to a home on Fern Hill Road near Mooresville on January 10. The victim stated that thousands of dollars worth of jewelry and clothing had been stolen while they were out of town, according to the news release.

The case was assigned to Detective C. Davidson. During the investigation, Davidson learned that the victims left their home in the care of Wattanakone, who was a family friend. The suspect took the jewelry and clothing from the home and shipped most of the items to another state, according to the news release.

As a result of the investigation, Detective Davidson obtained an arrest warrant for Wattanakone for Felony Larceny.

On February 27, Wattanakone was located and taken into custody. She was transported to the Iredell County Detention Center where she was issued a $15,000 secured bond by Magistrate Nethken.

Detectives are still working to recover the stolen property.