Jewelry theft suspect has rich history
A Barnstable man who was allowed to keep his $1 million lottery prize last year, even though terms of probation barred him from gambling, has been arrested, accused of stealing from a Boston jewelry store, police said yesterday.
Fifty-six-year-old Timothy B. Elliott has been charged with larceny by fraud, accused of writing more than $20,000 in checks to a Downtown Crossing jeweler for gold chains and diamonds. When the jeweler tried to cash the checks later, he learned the account had been closed, according to court records.
The case of Elliott, a two-time bank robber convicted of armed robbery and larceny in 2001, received widespread news media attention in November 2007 when he won the Massachusetts State Lottery.
His newfound fortune was imperiled however, when authorities on the Cape learned that because of his criminal background, he was forbidden from gambling. Authorities at the time said he had violated his probation when he bought the $10 ticket at a Stop and Shop in Hyannis.
In January 2008, however, a Barnstable Superior Court judge ruled that he could keep the money and not face jail time.
Police believe he must have gone through his winnings quickly, saying he soon returned to a life of theft, according to court records. Elliott received his first $50,000 payout, about $35,000 after taxes, in November 2007. It was unclear yesterday whether he has been receiving the rest of the prize in annuities or had sold it for one lump sum.
"He must have some expensive tastes to go from lottery winner to jewel thief in one year," said Jake Wark, spokesman for District Attorney Daniel F. Conley.
Elliott was arraigned Thursday on the newest charges. A Boston Municipal Court judge ordered him held for 20 days at Worcester State Hospital to determine whether he is mentally competent, according to court records.
His lawyer, Ilse Nehring, declined to comment.
Elliott's address, according to court records, is the same as a residential facility run by Gosnold on Cape Cod, a mental health and addiction services provider based in Falmouth. A woman who picked up the phone at a number listed for the facility declined to comment.
Elliott's most recent troubles began Tuesday, when a jeweler from European Imports on Washington Street called Boston detectives to report a theft. The jeweler told police that a tall man with long, white hair and a full white beard had given him three separate checks for various pieces of jewelry, according to court records.
The checks were inscribed with the words "Loose Change." Underneath was Elliott's name and the address of the Gosnold facility.
On Wednesday, the jeweler told police that Elliott had just called to tell him he wanted to buy more jewelry. When Elliott arrived at the store, detectives were waiting to arrest him. They found nearly $5,000 in cash in his coat pocket. Three necklaces, a watch, two brooches, and various stones were taken from Elliott, according to a police report. Not all of the pieces had come from European Imports, police said.
Elaine Driscoll, spokeswoman for Boston police, said detectives believe Elliott began developing relationships with jewelers, apparently using his lottery winnings to buy precious pieces. But they believe that his money may have run out, leading him to write bad checks, Driscoll said. She said police are looking for any other jewelers who might have fallen victim to Elliott's alleged scam.
Asked if detectives were surprised that a lottery winner would try to steal from a jeweler, Driscoll said: "I suppose if someone is inclined to criminal behavior, nothing should be surprising."
Maria Cramer can be reached at mcramer@globe.com. 