KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The investigation into the theft of a wedding ring has resulted in the arrest of a Kelseyville man.

Cesar Chaves Barba, 34, was arrested Monday for theft of an elder due to the fact the victim was over the age of 65, and grand theft, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

On Saturday, March 15, at approximately 9 p.m., deputies responded to a residence located in the 3000 block of Live Oak Drive in Kelseyville for a reported theft of a ring, Brooks said.

The victim told deputies that he noticed his wife’s wedding ring was missing from the residence. He explained that he took possession of his wife’s wedding ring about six weeks ago, after she was admitted to the hospital, according to Brooks.

The victim said he placed the ring on a shelf in the kitchen and last remembered seeing it approximately three weeks ago. He noticed the ring was missing when his wife asked him to bring it to the hospital, so she could wear it home after getting discharged from the hospital, Brooks said.

Brooks said the man described his wife’s ring as being made of platinum with three diamonds. He told deputies that he purchased the ring approximately 60 years ago for $1,000 and believes it is now worth eight to 10 times the amount he paid for it.

The victim said the only people who have been at his house are his grandchildren and a person who works for him part-time named Cesar. Brooks said the victim did not know Cesar’s last name, but said he lived down the street.

The man remembered having Cesar complete some work in his kitchen, which was where the ring was last seen. Brooks said the victim was able to provide the deputy with a contact telephone number Cesar.

The deputy conducted a search in the sheriff’s office computer system and located Barba, Brooks said.

Brooks said the deputy noticed that the telephone number listed in the computer system for Barba was the same contact number the victim had provided.

A further search of the computer system revealed that Barba was reported to have pawned a ring on March 6, according to Brooks.

On Tuesday, March 18, the deputy was able to locate the original pawn slip from when Barba had pawned a ring for $30. Brooks said the pawn slip also contained Barba’s thumb print, his driver’s license number and his date of birth.

The deputy contacted the pawn shop and asked for a hold to be placed on the ring until further identification could be made, according to Brooks.

Brooks said the deputy contacted the victim and showed him a picture of the ring, which was supplied by the pawn shop. He positively identified the ring as the one he purchased 60 years ago for his wife. The deputy seized the ring and gave it back to the victim.

On Monday at approximately 10:45 a.m., deputies contacted Barba. Brooks said the deputy showed Barba a picture of the ring obtained from the pawn shop and asked if he recognized it, which he denied.

Barba then admitted to finding a ring in the victim’s driveway, which he pawned. He told the deputy that he was under the influence of alcohol when he found the ring and admitted to pawning it for $30, Brooks said.

Brooks said Barba was arrested, transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Brooks said Barba remained in custody on Tuesday evening, with bail set at $15,000.