Jewelry stash stumps police

An Aiken man walking in a wooded area surrounding Houndslake on Friday came across a find that has police searching through their files attempting to find the last time jewelry was stolen during a break-in.

So far, detectives are still trying to figure it out.

The Houndslake resident came across an overturned wheelbarrow, and underneath it he found a pillowcase full of jewelry.

Detectives believe the jewelry had been there for a while, but gauging how long is difficult, detective Billy Royster said.

"Since it has been under the wheelbarrow, it has been protected from the elements," he said.

Royter said he believes the jewels were likely stolen during a residential break-in, but he hasn't had much luck finding anyone who reported the jewelry stolen.

"It could have been taken from a home in the county," he said. "There are a number of homes in the area that aren't in the city limits."

He has searched files dating back nearly a decade and said he is still at a loss.

"It's mostly women's jewelry," he said. "There were a variety of earrings, rings and necklaces."

There is a set of men's cuff links in the bag as well.

"This is kind of unusual," Royster said. "Sometimes we find guns that are thrown out before a traffic stop, but we don't see this too often."

Anyone who with information is asked call Royster at 642-7685.