A 54-year-old Marion County man who was watching his parents’ home has been arrested after he allegedly stole thousands of dollars’ worth of coins and jewelry from them.
On Monday, February 10, the victims contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office to report that gold coins, silver coins, and jewelry had been stolen from their home. The arrest report listed the value of the stolen items at approximately $50,000.
The victims suspected that their son, Fort McCoy resident Travis Dean Blitch, had committed the theft while he was watching their home and completing renovations on the property. The stolen items were last seen in the residence in November of 2024, according to a statement from the victims.
An MCSO corporal made contact with Blitch at his home on Monday, February 24. According to the report, Blitch claimed that he “never took any items from his parents’ home,” and he further stated that he “did not know” where the stolen coins were located.
The report mentioned that an individual at Blitch’s home approached the corporal and advised that law enforcement should check a particular local store for the victims’ coins. The corporal responded to that store and was informed by a staff member that Blitch had allegedly sold 6 gold coins, 7 silver coins, and jewelry to them in late January.
While the coins were already gone, the jewelry allegedly sold by Blitch was still at the store. The victims viewed the jewelry and recognized several pieces that were theirs, including a wedding band, three rings, and a pair of gold earrings, according to the report.
In total, the store had paid Blitch just over $3,200 for the coins. The report did not specify the dollar amount that was allegedly given to Blitch for the jewelry pieces.
On Friday, February 28, Blitch was placed under arrest and transported to MCSO headquarters for an interview. After being read his Miranda rights, he allegedly admitted to taking the coins from the victims’ home, adding that he sold them to the store, according to the report.
Blitch claimed that “the only coins he took from the home” were the ones he had sold to the store. However, the report stated that all of the victims’ coins had been “stored together in the same packaging” prior to the theft.
Following the interview with law enforcement, Blitch was booked into Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. He is being charged with larceny (over $20,000 but less than $100,000) and dealing in stolen property.
On Tuesday, April 1, Blitch is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m., according to jail records.