Cops find $4,000 worth of stolen jewelry, silver in traffic stop

Charleston County deputies and North Charleston police found $4,000 worth of stolen jewelry and silver after a traffic stop early Friday morning.

Deputies pulled over Wade Krauel, 28, of West Dolphin Street, on Ashley Phosphate at Plantation Road, an incident report states.

Deputies did not specify why Krauel was stopped, but said North Charleston police arrived at the scene to assist.

While searching Krauel’s vehicle, investigators noticed several pieces of sterling silver dinnerware that were covered with a green fabric bag, the report said.

A woman had called police on Tuesday, and reported her home ransacked, an incident report said. Several pieces of jewelry, silver, medication and cash stolen, the report said.

When asked about the silver in his car, Krauel told investigators his girlfriend asked him to pawn the items after she inherited them from her aunt.

Detectives examined the items and found that they matched the description given by the victim, including having her name engraved on the bottom of one of the pieces, the report said.

Investigators searched a room Krauel was staying in at the Masters Inn on Rivers Avenue and found a large amount of jewelry and more silver, the report said.

Police arrested Krauel and charged him with receiving stolen goods. His bail was set at $50,000, according to court records.

Police have not said whether Krauel will face additional charges for the burglary or whether they are searching for an additional suspect.

Reach Christina Elmore at 937-5908 or at Twitter.com/celmorePC.