PALM BEACH, Fla. — Police say a handyman took $500,000 in valuables from a Palm Beach condo while the owners were away, taking priceless heirlooms.
On October 3, officers with the Palm Beach Police Department (PBPD) say they responded to the 300 block of Brazilian Avenue to a Palm Beach condo for reports of a burglary.
The residents told police they left for an extended trip to England on May 20 and had left a box of valuable items hidden and locked in their apartment.
But when they returned to their condo on October 2, police say they noticed that their valuables had vanished.
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The safe was left intact and cemented into their closet with the closet door locked when they left; however, the victim said he kept the code in a ceramic jewelry bowl in the bathroom.
According to the victim’s statement, between $300,000 and $500,000 worth of valuables were stolen, including:
- Patek Philippe watch valued at $20,000
- South Sea large pearls valued at $26,000
- A Pearl necklace valued at $20,000
- Two diamond necklaces valued at $20,000 each
- Ruby necklace valued at $20,000
- Five Cartier and Tiffany gold hoop earrings valued at $5,000 each
- Priceless heirlooms, including various silver and gold antiques from the Revolutionary and Edwardian eras.
The victim told police that many of the items had been passed down through familial lines.
While they were away, the couple told police they gave a key to their property to the manager, who had some repairs to the victim’s balcony serviced.
According to police, the manager used a company recommended by the property’s handyman, 46-year-old Joshua Senior, who was present for much of the repairs.
Police say Senior had prior arrests in 2022 and 2025 for larceny, grand theft over $100,000, and drug offenses. A pawn check revealed Senior had pawned over 200 items on four separate occasions from Sept. 24 through Oct. 2.
Detectives say they visited Lake Worth Gold Mine pawnshop and spoke with the owners, who said they had pawned around $180,000 of the victim’s items and received $11,500. They mentioned that he tried to pawn the Patek philippe, but they refused.
Due to the evidence, Senior was booked on counts of grand theft of $100,000 or more, burglary, dealing in stolen property, and false verification of ownership.
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