Man accused of stealing, pawning family tea set

A Soldotna man was charged with theft after allegedly stealing and reselling a family heirloom.

James G. Dove, 40, faces one count of second-degree theft for allegedly taking a silver tea set from a Soldotna home and reselling it for $1,250 to a Peninsula Center Mall coin shop.

The tea set was spotted for sale in May by its owner, who had reported in February that a number of items had been stolen from his home while he was out of state, according to an Alaska State Trooper affidavit filed with the court.

The alleged victim, who reported at the time that tools, pieces of art and rare pistols were missing, told investigators that he believed Dove had taken the items because he needed money to support his drug habit, according to the affidavit.

The owner of the Soldotna coin shop selling the tea set told troopers that he bought the item in April from Dove, who had provided a copy of his driver’s license. The owner of the shop then identified Dove as the man who had sold him the set, according to the affidavit. Dove, who initially denied seeing the tea set, reportedly then told troopers he had taken the set and sold it.

In June, the owner of the tea set also found a Honda generator — which he had reported stolen earlier in the year — at a local pawn shop. The owner paid $350 to get the generator back, troopers reported. The pawn shop provided a record that Dove had sold the generator in January, according to the affidavit.

Troopers reported that drugs are a factor in the case. The court issued a summons to Dove to appear in court later this month.

Reach Erin Thompson at ethompson@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress 4th grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy vetoes education funding to $500 BSA increase

Per-student funding was increased by $700 in an education bill passed by the Alaska Legislature in May.

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Job Center is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on April 15, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
Minimum wage increases to $13 per hour on July 1

Since 2014, Alaska’s minimum wage has increased from $7.75 to $11.91 through the Alaska Wage and Hour Act.

Leads for the Sterling Safety Corridor Improvements Project field questions and showcase their “preferred design” during an open house meeting at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Preferred design alternative for Sterling Highway safety corridor introduced at town hall

The project is intended to redesign and construct improvements to the highway to reduce the number of fatal and serious collisions.

Alaska State Troopers badge. File photo
Recovered remains confirmed to be missing Texas boaters; fourth set of remains found

Remains were recovered from the vessel sank that in Kachemak Bay last August.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a meeting of the KPBSD Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
KPBSD issues notice of non-retention to pool managers, theater techs and library aides

Those notices were issued due to the ongoing uncertainty in state education funding.

National Guard members put on hazmat suits before entering the simulation area on Monday, June 9, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)
National Guard begins exercise in Juneau simulating foreign terrorist attacks

Operation ORCA brings 100 personnel to Juneau, disrupts traffic around Capitol.

Woman of Wisdom Roberta Highland holds her award from South Peninsula Haven House in this photo taken July 25, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy South Peninsula Haven House)
Borough assembly commends Roberta Highland

The longtime Homer resident passed away in April 24 at age 75.

Anchor Point Library director Deanna Thomas works the front counter on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Anchor Point Library awarded Rasmuson grant

Grant funding will relieve issues with the building’s septic system.

Most Read