$150K In Jewelry Stolen From Buckhead Home

Atlanta police are looking for the thief who took more than $150,000 in jewels from a Buckhead home while the victim was in the hospital.

Detectives said a burglar stole the jewelry, including precious family heirlooms, from the home of Doctor Ron Eichel last month.

"I can’t tell you the feeling of violation. We lived in this home for 24 years,” said Eichel.

Eichel told Channel 2’s Ryan Young his family had just overcome another challenge -- his wife’s illness.

"She had been in Piedmont Hospital for nine days. Four of those days were in intensive care," said Eichel. "All of her jewelry had been robbed. It was an incredibly emotional time because she was so ill, so weak and this was such a shock."

Eichel told Young one item that’s missing is a set of pearls his wife desperately wanted to pass on. The pearls have been in the family for more than 70 years.

"The sentimental value and the value of what it means to my wife and my family is far more important. We are asking for your help," Eichel pleaded. "To find that invasion and my wife’s reaction…., anger is one word but helpless is the worst emotion."

Detective Ken Allen believes someone has come across the rare jewelry. "This particular level of jewelry was higher-end jewelry. It’s not what the typical household would carry,” said Allen.

If you have any information about the stolen jewels, you can call Atlanta Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. Callers can remain anonymous and still receive a reward.