CORNWALL, Conn. — A woman from Newtown is accused of burglarizing a home in Cornwall last summer that contained valuable antiques and art from around the world and indigenous America. State police tracked down some of the antiques posted on an auction website and matched the suspect's DNA to an energy drink left behind at the house.
Jessica Thompson, 39, was arrested Tuesday and charged with burglary and larceny of property valued over $20,000.
State police were called to a home in Cornwall in September 2023 to investigate a home found ransacked and missing many arts and antiques. The homeowner told investigators that he had only two contractors coming to the home while being away since that August. One of them came by to find the ransacked home and the back door open, the homeowner told investigators.
State police found an energy drink can in one of the rooms, which did not belong to any of the contractors, the homeowner told investigators. Investigators collected the energy drink as evidence and DNA was found on it after testing.
According to the homeowner, items stolen from the home included Japanese, Indonesian, pre-Columbian, and Native American masks, pots, chests and art. A stack of vintage MAD magazines from the 60s and 70s were also taken, as well as electronic appliances and tools, according to the arrest warrant. The homeowner estimated that these stolen items were valued between $50,000 and $100,000, investigators said.
Later that month, state police investigated two chainsaws that were abandoned at Macedonia State Park in Kent, where park officials said Thompson was camping. When asked about the chainsaws in April 2024, Thompson told investigators they belonged to someone she was working for.
State police got in touch with the Authentic Tribal Art Dealers Association, which got an email from Thompson regarding native American artifacts she "came across" at "an estate sale." The items, including a Native American chest, were put up for auction in December 2023. The Cornwall homeowner notified the same association of the items stolen from their home, according to the arrest warrant.
In April, state police were able to get the stolen items that were listed for auction back. State police also collected DNA from Thompson, which matched the DNA found on the energy drink found at the Cornwall home.
Thompson told investigators she did not know anything about a Native American chest, but then told investigators said she knew other people were getting it for her at an estate sale.
Thompson was released on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on July 30.
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
---
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Stream Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
