Man charged with stealing Rays employee's title ring

A pest control worker has been accused of stealing a Tampa Bay Rays championship ring from the home of the team's sales manager and selling it at a Clearwater pawn shop.

Scott Richardson, 41, of 2007 Seaside Cay Drive, Clearwater, has been charged with grand theft and dealing in stolen property, jail records show.

Richardson, who worked for New Tech Pest Control, was given access to the condominium of Rays sales manager Robert Windheim on July 12, St. Petersburg police say.

A master key to the complex was given to Richardson by the property's management, and he made his rounds unattended, police say. Windheim was not at home during the incident.

On Tuesday, Windheim called police to report that his 2008 American League championship ring and its box were missing from his bedroom dresser. The ring is worth $3,600.

Investigators discovered that Richardson had sold the ring at R&W Pawn and Jewelry on July 14. Richardson was paid $695.

When detectives confronted Richardson at his home Thursday, he admitted taking the ring, police say. He also told detectives he had pawned other items he took from several homes where he was hired to provide pest control services. Those cases are under investigation.

When he was arrested Thursday, Richardson was on probation for aggravated stalking, police say. Detectives also learned that he had been fired from his previous employer, Suncoast Pest Control, in June after he was accused of stealing from customers.

Richardson is being held on $10,000 bail at Pinellas County Jail.