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Dog walker accused of stealing items worth thousands of dollars from clients

STONEHAM, Mass. — Police have arrested a woman they stole jewelry and clothing worth thousands of dollars from clients of her dog walking business.

A Stoneham woman first reported the stolen items in March, and told police she had discovered that Andrea Sharby, 38, was selling them online.

Several months prior, the resident had hired Sharby’s company Walk-about Animal Care to walk her dog.

“She was only watching my dog for about 5 months so in that span of time it was over 20,000 worth of stuff,” she told Boston 25 News.

The woman asked to have her identity concealed, but said she believes there are many more people who might have been victimized.

“They’re licensed, they’re bonded, they’re in my town, they came for an interview, they met my children,” she said.

Once police identified Sharby as the suspect, they were able to track records online and at several area pawn shops where she sold items.

“Stuff she was selling on this site was so random it was everything from what looked like an old woman’s engagement ring from the 1920s to random Nike sneakers,” the victim said.

Some of the pawned items had also been reported stolen from a Winchester resident who was also a client of Sharby’s company.

"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."

During Sharby’s arrest, police found several bags of fentanyl on her person.

Police said there are still several items believed to have been stolen by Sharby that have not been identified.

Clients of Walk-About Animal Care Services are encouraged to check their belongings, and if jewelry is missing, contact Detective Patrick Carroll at 781-438-1215, extension 3147.

Sharby is charged with receiving stolen property over $250 (three counts), Receiving stolen property under $250 (two counts), larceny by false pretenses over $250 and possession of a class be drug (fentanyl).