Alleged Jewelry Thief Waives Preliminary Hearing

A 49-year-old Mequon woman accused of stealing more than $92,000 in jewelry and silverware from two friends who live in Bayside and Grafton entered a not guilty plea after waiving her right to a preliminary hearing in Ozaukee County Circuit Court on Wednesday.

Jill E. Binon is also facing a charge in Milwaukee County courts, though specifics of the charge are pending and should be released before her tentative court appearance in Milwaukee at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

Binon's friend in Grafton noticed on May 12 that several pieces of jewelry were missing from her jewelry box, which was locked and hidden in a closet. Also missing were multiple pieces of Tiffany silverware. The total value of the missing items was estimated at $92,238.

The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Department detective investigating the thefts then checked a property registry system to see whether any of the stolen items had been sold to local pawn shops. When a list came back, the Grafton woman confirmed several items were hers, but also noted that a number of items sold along with hers belonged to a friend living in Bayside, for whom Binon was a caretaker.

Binon has been charged in Ozaukee County with two felony counts: theft of movable property greater than $10,000 and receiving stolen property greater than $10,000. She faces up to 20 years in prison and $50,000 in fines if convicted.

Binon is held in Ozaukee County jail on a . She is set to appear in Ozaukee County courts again at 1:30 p.m. July 14 for a status hearing.