Kaushal Niroula, 27, was being held in lieu of $2 million bail at the Marin County Jail. He is charged with theft and embezzlement of an elder or dependent adult, said Deputy District Attorney Linda Witong.
The jewelry included a 6-carat emerald and 1.5-carat diamond ring valued at $45,000, an antique pinecone pin with rubies valued at $40,000 and about 20 other pieces, according to court documents.
Niroula's arrest caps an investigation that began in late February, when the jewelry vanished from a residence on Corte Roble in Novato, where the elderly woman lives with her son. Authorities said Niroula is a friend of the son who occasionally stays at the house.
Around the same time, Niroula was being sought on an arrest warrant from San Francisco, where he was facing allegations of theft, conspiracy and fraud, according to court documents. San Francisco police suspect Niroula of taking $485,000 from an associate to buy a painting, but spending the money on a gambling trip to Las Vegas instead.
Niroula surrendered to the warrant and was quickly released after posting $250,000 bail. Authorities suspect Niroula raised his bail money by ransacking the jewelry boxes belonging to his friend's mother while he was visiting the home in February.
Niroula,
Marin County sheriff's investigators were able to track down a man who gave Niroula cash for the jewelry. The man initially denied the transaction, but later admitted to it and turned in the jewelry.
Niroula has not yet entered a plea.
Read more Novato stories at the IJ's Novato section.
Contact Gary Klien via e-mail at gklien@marinij.com
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