WEST COLUMBIA, Texas — Two people have been arrested for state jail felony theft after authorities say they tried to sell a piece of jewelry stolen from a Southeast Texas state historic site.
West Columbia Police Chief Paul Odin says 24-year-old Tirso Miguel Perez of Highlands and 26-year-old Carla Fuentes of Freeport are charged with taking from the Varner-Hogg Plantation Historic Site a brooch that belonged to philanthropist Ima Hogg.
Diamond & pearl brooch and a jewelry box stolen from the Varner Hogg historic site in Brazoria County, the property of the former TX. Gov. "Big Jim" Hogg. The brooch is reported to have belonged to the governor's daughter, Ima Hogg. Crime Stoppers offers $5,000 reward. #khou11 pic.twitter.com/QxwrAmMo8Y
— The Bishop (@BillBishopKHOU) July 20, 2018
Hogg's father, James Hogg, was Texas governor from 1891 to 1895.
The brooch includes pearls and a diamond on black carbon from the 1901 Spindletop oil gusher in Beaumont. It was stolen last week from the former West Columbia sugar plantation.
Authorities say the pair were arrested Saturday trying to sell the piece at a jewelry store. Bond for each was set at $25,000.
