Moorpark Councilwoman’s Husband Arrested in Jewelry Theft

The husband of City Councilwoman Debbie Teasley, who claimed he wanted to learn the ropes of professional gem setting, has been arrested on suspicion of stealing as much as $17,000 in gems and jewelry from a local store, police said.

William B. Teasley, 39, was arrested Tuesday for the alleged thefts from Anderson Jewelry, where he had been observing owner Dave Pardo.

“He conned me every way he could,” said Pardo, whose own wedding ring was part of the loot allegedly taken. “He lathered me up saying he was [the councilwoman’s] husband and then just ripped me off.”

The Teasleys have been married for four years.

William Teasley was booked into Ventura County Jail, where he remained late Friday in lieu of $5,000 bail.

He is to be arraigned Monday on charges of grand theft and possession of stolen property.

The arrest occurred as Teasley was leaving his Moorpark home. The investigation was prompted by a complaint from Pardo, police said.

“It’s a rather unfortunate situation for everyone involved, but in the course of our investigation we’ve been able to determine that Mrs. Teasley did not participate or have any knowledge of what her husband was doing,” said Capt. Arve Wells of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

Councilwoman Teasley could not be reached for comment Friday. According to police and Pardo, she is working to help account for some of the property still missing.

Pardo’s store is in the shopping plaza where the councilwoman works as a manager for a real estate agency. William Teasley approached Pardo in April about employment, but was turned down.

He later returned and said he was interested in observing so he could learn more about the jewelry business. Pardo, who said he knew the councilwoman from her work with the city and Chamber of Commerce, agreed.

“He kept using her to get me to trust him,” Pardo said. “And I did, but it wasn’t too long before I started noticing some things were missing.”

According to a police report, the thefts occurred between May 9 and 16. Police suspect Teasley made off with a one-carat, teardrop-shaped diamond, a two-carat diamond cluster ring and other valuables.

“He liked the heavy stuff,” Pardo said. “Things like rings with big gems and heavy chains.”

Though Pardo had suspected something was amiss, he said it wasn’t until Teasley approached him with an envelope of diamonds for sale that he made the connection.

“That wasn’t the brightest move,” Pardo said. “As soon as he showed me the diamonds, I recognized them and knew for sure he was stealing from me.”

While most of the pieces have been recovered, Pardo said he is still discovering other items missing.

He said it has been difficult telling clients that the jewelry they brought in for cleaning or repair has been stolen. “I feel so bad telling them their wedding ring or whatever is gone, but all I can do is wait and that’s kind of frustrating,” he said. “But I really feel bad for [Councilwoman Teasley] . . . She didn’t know anything about this. She’s a victim too.”