Lauren Kratochvil was given five years probation after pleading guilty to residential burglary and theft of property charges during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case, Kratochvil and a man identified as her fiance, Joseph Elders, were alleged to have been involved in taking jewelry valued at almost $19,000 from the home of relatives of Elders. The items were taken from a jewelry box in the bedroom closet of the residence.
The victims identified Kratochvil and Elders as suspects in the theft. The victims said the pair had been at their home on March 2nd.
Investigators in the case discovered that Elders and Kratochvil had been pawning items of the stolen jewelry in shops locally as well as in Jonesboro and Conway. The first item was pawned just a day after the couple is alleged to have visited the victims’ homes.
In addition to time on probation, Kratochvil was ordered to pay restitution of slightly more than $1,200. She will share the total restitution with her codefendant.
Kratochvil was sentenced under the provisions of Act 346, meaning that if she says out of trouble during her probation period, she can apply to the courts to have her records sealed.
Elders’ trial is now set for January 24th, according to court records.
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