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'Lazy Eye Bandit' Charged By Stamford Cops In 2006 Stolen Jewelry Case

STAMFORD, Conn. -- A woman dubbed the "Lazy Eye Bandit" by police has been charged in connection with an 8-year-old theft from the Kay Jewelers store at the Stamford Town Center mall, police said.

Cheryl R. Townes - dubbed the "Lazy Eye Bandit" by police was charged with first-degree larceny in connection with the theft of jewelry in 2006 from Kay Jewelers in Stamford Town Center mall.

Cheryl R. Townes - dubbed the "Lazy Eye Bandit" by police was charged with first-degree larceny in connection with the theft of jewelry in 2006 from Kay Jewelers in Stamford Town Center mall.

Photo Credit: Stamford Police Department

Cheryl R. Townes, 55, 1550 Union Port Road, the Bronx N.Y., was arrested by Stamford Police on Monday. She was transported from the Bedford Hills Correctional Institute for Women in Bedford Hills, N.Y., where she is serving time for another conviction. She's charged with first-degree larceny in the Stamford case.

On Dec. 30, 2006, a woman stole three pieces of jewelry worth $19,000 from the display case at Kay Jewelers and substituted three pieces of costume jewelry in their place while the clerk was distracted, police said.

The theft was reported to police a few days later. The clerk offered up a vital clue - the suspect had a lazy eye, police said. 

In early 2007, Stamford Police were told by authorities in Rockland County, N.Y., that they had a suspect in a January 2007 theft of jewelry in New York City who they called the "Lazy Eye Bandit." They said the suspect used a similar ruse in the New York City theft that was used in Stamford. 

Townes was arrested on April 24, 2007, in connection with the New York City theft. Police said she admitted to the Stamford theft and Stamford Police obtained an arrest warrant for her the following month. The warrant was executed on Monday. 

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