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Last updated on Wednesday, September 11, 2013
(POSEY CO.) - The Posey County Sheriff’s Office has a warning for Tri-Staters after investigators say an alleged burglar admitted using Facebook posts to pick her targets.
WFIE reports, the suspect, 38-year-old Tricia Schneider, is in the Posey County Jail, charged with burglary and theft. Detectives say she may be involved in at least four home break-ins.
Many of us make innocent posts about our vacations or weekend trips, but that information can give burglars the green light to break-in while you're away.
"It's posting, 'Look how much fun we're having on the beach today. Here's photos of us at a very unique restaurant.' Those sorts of things, giving indication that you're away from home and that your property is unprotected," Posey County Sheriff Greg Oeth said.
Oeth says Schneider used that information online and broke into homes in Wadesville, Evansville, Gibson County, and maybe others.
He says she stole credit cards and an estimated $40,000 to $60,000 in jewelry allegedly to fund her meth addiction.
"They feel violated. Their home has been broken into while they were gone," Oeth said. "She would take advantage of that information and break into the home and commit the crimes.
Detectives say surveillance photos released to 14 News last week helped nab Schneider and the loot. They say she'd hidden the jewelry in a blue bag below a tree off a Warrick County road.
"Don't let anybody have information that you don't want them to know," Oeth said. "A good possibility that others are involved with this and as we continue the investigation we hope to unfold all of that."
Oeth says Schneider is not facing drug-related charges, but he says more charges could follow and more arrests could be on the way.
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