Ithaca man arrested after jewelry, antique theft investigation

ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM) — An Ithaca man was arrested on Friday, March 8, after a two-month-long investigation into a jewelry and antique theft.

Steven D. Gierlach, 44, was arrested on a weapon charge and a theft charge.

According to the Ithaca Police Department, officers began investigating a report that jewelry and antique collectibles were stolen from a home in the City of Ithaca on Jan. 8. Gierlach was identified as the suspect during the investigation, and officers executed a search warrant on his home and place of business on March 8.

Police say they found an illegal handgun and some of the jewelry that was reported stolen during their search.

Gierlach was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (illegal possession of a loaded firearm, a class C felony) and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property (stolen property valued more than $1,000, a class E felony).

Gierlach was arraigned in the Ithaca City Court before being taken to the Tompkins County Jail. He is being held on a $5,000 cash bond or $10,000 insurance bond.