Police arrest former condo employee for jewelry theft

Longboat Key police suspected that a former longtime Windward Bay employee was responsible for a string of periodic thefts of jewelry and other valuables around the community. But after a four-and-a-half-carat diamond from a resident’s stolen ring that was valued at $85,000 was located in New York City, police finally had evidence to charge the suspect.

Police arrested Michael Artman, 52, of Bradenton, last week on charges of grand theft, dealing in stolen property and burglary of an occupied dwelling. While all charges stem from the theft of the ring, police believe Artman, who worked in the community for 17 years before he was fired mid-February, is responsible for a string of periodic thefts of jewelry and other small valuables at the 151-unit community.

“His name always came up,” said Longboat Key Police detective Capt. Kristina Roberts, who estimates she interviewed Artman at least three times in the past few years. “He was always in the vicinity whenever anything was reported.”

According to a Manatee County probable cause affidavit, over the weekend of Feb. 1 and Feb. 2, Artman used a key he had from doing previous work to enter a unit and steal the ring. The victim discovered the theft Feb. 3 and reported it.

Police say Artman took the ring to Bridge Street Jewelers and sold it for $6,000 after telling a gemologist it had belonged to his mother. He received the payment in seven separate checks after telling the gemologist he did not want his ex to notice a large deposit.

On March 19, the New York Police Department positively identified the diamond, which was detached from the ring, and traced it back to Bridge Street Jewelers and Artman.

Artman agreed to come to the Longboat Key Police Department, where he was later arrested.

According to the affidavit, Artman’s work declined over the past several months, and he was fired mid-February, although he continued to work side jobs for various owners. He told police he is addicted to alcohol and prescription drugs.

Artman confessed to between 10 to 45 other incidents of theft, police say.

Artman is currently being held in the Manatee County Jail on a $22,500 bond.

Police hope to charge him for other thefts but don’t believe recovery of additional jewelry is likely.

According to Roberts, Artman often stole one or two pieces of jewelry when three or four pieces were stored together. In some cases, residents might have believed that they misplaced their valuables.

“Most of them probably didn’t report any of this to us,” she said.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected]