Pedro Nunez, of Nunez Fine Jewelers in Virginia Beach, Va., has been charged with attempted grand larceny and two counts of precious metal violations, according to local police.

According to a police statement, a local resident reported that her diamond ring had been taken from her home. She then found out it had been sold to Nunez Fine Jewelers. When she approached Nunez, he allegedly returned the ring.

After examining the ring with another jeweler, the woman came to believe her diamond had been replaced with a lesser-quality gem. When she confronted Nunez, he allegedly agreed to return her original stone. The woman then called police.

Nunez did not report the transaction and failed to obtain identification required by state law, thus leading to his arrest, the statement added.

Anyone who belives he or she is a victim of similar occurance at Nunez Fine Jewelers should call the Virginia Beach police department detective bureau’s pawn unit at 757-385-8391.

JCK