Deputies arrest man accused of stealing couple's engagement ring the night before proposal

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GROVELAND, Fla. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - A Lake County couple is thankful after deputies found their stolen engagement ring.

“We kind of look back at the last week and it's just been a whirlwind of ups and downs so it ended well. I'm very happy,” said Amanda Bacon.

She should be. Amanda Bacon’s boyfriend, Justin, is getting back the engagement ring he bought for her. It was stolen before he even had the chance to pop the question.

“Just really happy, yeah very excited, and that they had caught the guy who did it was the biggest thing I was really happy about,” said Justin Robinson.

Lake County deputies charged Austin Oaks with theft, burglary and resisting arrest, saying he stole the $3,000 diamond engagement ring out of Justin Robinson’s car the night before Valentine’s Day, stealing both the ring and Justin’s proposal plan. The alleged thief gave it to his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day.

“Oh man that doesn't sit well. I don't even know what to say about that. That's ridiculous. He did. I feel bad for her a little bit. I don’t know if she knew or not but that’s pretty pathetic,” said Robinson.

According to a police report, it was one of a string of burglaries deputies say happened in the area. Someone’s trail camera took a photo of the suspect. When deputies went to his home, they found him and his girlfriend wearing the missing ring. Deputies say the thief apologized and took full responsibility for what happened.

“This is a great story. turned into a great story we'll say,” said Bacon.

Justin hopes to get the ring back Monday. One week after the engagement ring was stolen, he has proposal back on the brain.

“Nothing’s changed. It just got delayed a little bit.”