A Spokane man who burglarized retirement homes was sentenced Tuesday to about a year in prison.

Pavel V. Altukhov, 24, is to serve 12.75 months in prison and pay $3,260 restitution after pleading guilty in Spokane County Superior Court to three counts of first-degree theft and second-degree theft.

Altukhov stole jewelry and other items from elderly residents at retirement communities on the South Hill and in Spokane Valley before police arrested him in December. They found more 1,000 pieces of jewelry in his car.

Witnesses said Altukhov posed as a family member of a resident and didn’t appear out of place until residents began reporting stolen items like TVs and jewelry.

He also approached residents in their rooms and offered services such as appraisals as he stole items, police said.

One victim told KREM news that she's still missing her engagement ring from her husband of 62 years.

 

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