Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - A man suspected of breaking into more than a dozen homes throughout Onondaga and Oswego counties is being held at the Justice Center Jail. The engagement ring he allegedly stole from a couple is now in the Onondaga County Sheriff's evidence locker.
Just days before Terri and Jessica Long's wedding last fall, someone broke into their house and broke their hearts. It was Jessica who discovered their engagement ring and wedding band were gone.
"She had just gotten them cleaned and just put them aside, so that nothing could happen to them. And she ran upstairs I could hear her going up the stairs and she just burst out on the phone," Terry recalled. "It was horrible, it was devastating. It was probably one of the worst moments ever."
The Longs learned this week that John Defio, 28, of Syracuse, was arrested by the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, reportedly in possession of their engagement ring. Defio is charged with the burglary of their home and many others.
"This particular case was solved because of the cooperation of the public and the piece that [On the Lookout] did for us that showed the engagement ring. We received a tip, from someone who recognized the engagement ring and contacted us," said Sheriff Kevin Walsh.
Detectives believe Defio struck sixteen times on Onondaga Hill, Manlius, Geddes and locations in Oswego County to steal money, prescription drugs and jewelry. After the arrest, Jessica and Terry were called to take a look at the recovered engagement ring.
"We were sitting there, and he came out with it, and it was the ring," Terry Long said.
Long is also holding out hope for the other victims. "There were so many other people who were affected by this and hopefully they've have closure. What we went through was unbelievable," he said.
Although the stolen wedding band remains unaccounted for, the Longs say they're pleased the engagement ring will soon be returned to Jessica's left hand.
Defio is jailed at the County Justice Center on $60,000 cash bail or bond.
Couple seeks ring lost during Onondaga Hill burglaries
August 27
Onondaga Hill (WSYR-TV) - A Town of Onondaga couple will marry on Saturday and the pair is holding out hope that someone can help them get their wedding rings back.
The rings were stolen on Monday during a series of burglaries on Onondaga Hill near the Onondaga Community College campus.
The bride and groom to be sent NewsChannel 9 a picture of the engagement ring, along with a note on how special it is to the couple:
"The engagement ring represented one of the most cherished possessions we owned. In all aspects the ring was perfect in our eyes, it was unique in style and the design was a compliment to her hand. When choosing the diamond I decided to go with a little smaller so I could get a little better and brighter and the sacrifice in size worked because the diamond was brilliant.
Jessica would lay in bed in the morning and play with the light coming through the window. She would constantly be checking it to be sure it was on her hand. If she had forgotten she took it off to do dishes or work in her garden she would panic for a second before realizing she had taken it off to keep is safe.
Her hand seems empty now and I catch her checking where her ring ought to be and see the disappointment on her face every time she doesn't see the ring there on her finger. I was proud of that ring, I was proud of being able to pull off that purchase, I was proud of how much she loved it. I just hope she will love the next one as much."
The ring had just been cleaned and put away so it would be perfect the day of the wedding.
The ring and their wedding bands were all that the burglar took from the couple's home.
Anyone who can help Sheriff's Detectives track down the burglar and the engagement ring should call in their tips at (315) 435-3081.
