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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
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Man Arrested For Pawning Jewelry From Elderly Sandy Victim's Home

By Nicholas Rizzi | July 22, 2013 4:19pm
 Mary Roberts', 89, Center Place home, recently renovated after Hurricane Sandy, was set on fire by a burglar on Sunday, July 14, 2013, family said. Police arrested Michael VanWinkle, of Oakwood, for pawning jewelry that belonged to Roberts.
Mary Roberts', 89, Center Place home, recently renovated after Hurricane Sandy, was set on fire by a burglar on Sunday, July 14, 2013, family said. Police arrested Michael VanWinkle, of Oakwood, for pawning jewelry that belonged to Roberts.
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DNAinfo/Nicholas Rizzi

NEW DORP BEACH — A man was arrested last week after he was found trying to pawn jewelry taken from the elderly Sandy victim's home burned by arsonists last weekend, the District Attorney's office said.

Michael Vanwinkle, 32, of Oakwood, was arrested last Thursday and charged with criminal possession of stolen property after he sold jewelry that belonged to Mary Roberts, 89, whose home was burglarized and set on fire on July 14, the Staten Island Advance originally reported.

On Sunday, July 14, Vanwinkle pawned an earring, angel charm, and chain at Michael's Jewelry, 2626 Hylan Blvd. that belonged to Roberts, a law enforcement source said.

An intruder set four separate fires in the Roberts' Center Place home and took off with two TV sets and Roberts' BMW while she was on vacation in Canada, family told DNAinfo.com New York.

An investigation is currently underway to see if Vanwinkle played any role in the arson and burglary of Roberts' home, a law enforcement source said.

His bail was set at $3,000, and he's due back in court on Wednesday.