Ukiah man suspected in wedding ring thefts

A Ukiah man is suspected of stealing one wedding ring from his friend and his deceased father's wedding ring from his mother to support his drug habit, a Sonoma County sheriff's sergeant said.

Christopher James Anderson, 26, was arrested for grand theft Monday night after he was found hiding in the laundry room of a friend's apartment in the 8200 block of Camino Collegio in Rohnert Park, Sgt. Mike Raasch said.

Anderson went to a family friend's house in the Larkfield area north of Santa Rosa on March 28, Raasch said.

He told his friend's family he was down on his luck and depressed because his father just died and he needed someone to talk to, Raasch said.

The family felt sorry for Anderson, allowed him inside, fed him and treated him like family, Raasch said.

When Anderson left the house a short time later, the family discovered a wedding ring was missing, Raasch said.

Detectives learned Anderson sold the ring for $150 presumably to support his Oxycontin habit, Raasch said. The ring was recovered and returned to the family.

Detectives also learned Anderson stole a large amount of cash and jewelry, including his deceased father's wedding ring, from his mother and sold the jewelry to buy drugs, Raasch said.

Anderson also has a pending burglary and possession of stolen property case that occurred in Healdsburg in January, Raasch said.

He was booked in the Sonoma County jail under $5,000 bail for grand theft.

Charges against Anderson are pending in connection with the theft of the wedding ring in Larkfield, Raasch said.