Stoneham Dog Walker Charged With Stealing Jewelry From Clients

STONEHAM (CBS) – A dog walker has been charged with stealing over $10,000 worth of jewelry and other items from clients.

Police arrested Andrea Sharby, 38, Friday on a variety of theft and drug possession charges. Sharby is the co-owner of Walk-About Animal Care Services.

Officers were called to a Stoneham home on March 12. The resident told police that over the course of the year, she began to notice clothing and jewelry had gone missing.

Before contacting police, the woman found many of the items had been put up for sale on a website called poshmark.com.

Stoneham Police found Sharby's name on multiple pawn shop reports and say she was also responsible for selling jewelry that was reported stolen from Winchester.

The Winchester resident whose items were stolen had also hired Walk-About Animal Services to take care of his pets.

When police arrested Sharby, they found several bags of fentanyl.

At first, Sharby's husband, Ed Walters, proclaimed her innocence. But then admitted she's now in the hospital battling a fentanyl addiction and confessed he fears he could lose customers.

"I could lose everything," Ed Walters said.

Police have retrieved some stolen jewelry from pawn shops in town, but Walters hopes this misstep won't define the business he and his wife run out of their Stoneham home.

"We have been in business 20 years," Walters said. "Our reputation speaks for itself."

Police have confirmed only two victims, but have now heard from several customers who are missing valuables -- and feel betrayed.

Sharby's husband urged customers against a rush to judgment. "I'm hoping that my clients that have known me for 20 years are going to believe in us," Walters said.

Stoneham Police have several pieces of stolen jewelry whose owner is not known. Any Walk-About Animal Care clients are asked to check their possessions and contact police if anything is missing.

"This woman violated her customers' trust by using her business to steal from people's homes," Stoneham Police Chief James McIntyre said. "I want to commend the work of all involved for bringing this woman to justice."