Local jeweler convicted of stealing from customers
A Newport Beach man who owned a now-defunct jewelry store in Costa Mesa has been convicted of giving customers fake jewelry in return for jewels they sought to upgrade.
An Orange County Superior Court jury last week found Charles Jayson Hanson, 53, guilty of four felony counts of grand theft, one felony count of burglary in the first degree and one misdemeanor count of petty theft with sentencing enhancements for aggravated white collar crime, according to court records.
Judge Gary Paer declared a mistrial on two other felony counts of grand theft after jurors deadlocked on those charges.
Police arrested Hanson on Aug. 8, 2014, several months after a husband and wife filed a police report alleging that Hanson had given them a fake diamond ring after they gave him a real ring and money for an upgrade.
Authorities said they found at least seven other victims since then, with the thefts valued at more than $100,000 per victim, according to court records.
Hanson owned the now-closed Stoned Jewelry at South Coast Collection in Costa Mesa.
He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 6.
Twitter: @benbrazilpilot
