Burglary investigation nets three arrests

Three suspects in a $121,000 burglary have been arrested by Greeley police, including a well-known Greeley real estate agent who turned herself in to police Friday.

A warrant was issued for Stephanie Nealy, 29, alleging she may be part of a huge theft Wednesday at a home in the 4900 block of 5th Street. She works with the Re/Max Optimum Group.

Court warrants stated Friday that $16,000 in cash, 13 designer watches of Cartier and Rolex brands, two rings and a necklace were taken from the home. The cash was in 16 packs of $100 bills.

Police said the victim owns an automobile dealership.

Two Greeley men, Trent Nichols, 26, and Daniel Brown, also 26, were also arrested in the case. Nichols, who is reportedly Nealy's boyfriend, was arrested Friday on charges of first-degree burglary, theft and criminal mischief, the same charges are facing Nealy.

Brown was arrested Thursday on charges of theft by receiving and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In the arrest warrant Friday, police said Nealy was once the girlfriend of the victim, and she knew where he hid cash and jewelry in his house. Police said the cash was in a bank bag, hidden in a drawer among the victim's clothing. The watches and jewelry also were hidden in clothing drawers.

Because few of the other areas of the house were disturbed, the victim's wallet was left untouched, and the victim's Humvee was not stolen, the warrant stated: "It is apparent that they (the burglars) had prior knowledge of where the victim kept his cash and jewelry hidden. Upon questioning, the victim immediately identified his former girlfriend, Stephanie Nealy, and her new boyfriend, Trent Nichols, as suspects."

While Nealy has no criminal record, her apparent boyfriend, Trent Nichols, has numerous arrests, including robbery, drugs charges, theft and burglaries in other cases. Police said Nichols also owes more than $30,000 in restitution for his previous crimes.

Nichols was arrested by police Thursday on traffic charges, was out on bail Friday when he and Nealy returned to the jail.

Brown's record shows some driving offenses.

Search warrants for the three suspects' homes uncovered incriminating evidence, according to Greeley police:

» In Nealy's car, officers said they found Nealy's purse with two bundles of $100 bills, totaling almost $3,000, and both were "consistent" with the money taken in the burglary.

» At Brown's home, police found a Rolex Oyster watch worth more than $6,000, identified as one of the stolen watches;

» In Nichols' pickup truck, officers found a glove that matched a glove left behind at the victim's home.

Early in the investigation of the burglary, police said they followed the suspects as they went to bars and contacted other people who may become suspects in the case.

Police Lt. Brad Goldschmidt said Nichols and Nealy turned themselves in at the Weld County Jail early Friday and are being held on $75,000 bond.