Guilty Plea In Theft of Priceless Artifacts From Main Line Home
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- A former housekeeper from Philadelphia today pleaded guilty to charges related to the theft of a rare and valuable bust of Benjamin Franklin that was taken from a home on the Main Line last summer (see related story).
Andrea Lawton pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court to burglary and conspiracy, admitting that she was the one who swiped the priceless bust of Franklin from a house in Bryn Mawr.
The bust (right), along with an expensive framed picture, sheet music, and baton of composer Victor Herbert, was stolen last August.
It was later recovered -- damaged -- when the 47-year-old woman was arrested.
Montgomery County prosecutor Kevin Steele believes they know the motive: "the theft of something very valuable, and the second, I think, came as a result of her being fired."
Steele plans to ask for significant jail time because she hasn't give up her accomplice and has provided no information on the missing Herbert photo (below).
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Lawton is also awaiting sentencing in federal court after pleading guilty to transporting stolen property over state lines (see related story).
