WESTFIELD – Scott Marek was released in lieu of $2,000 cash bail after being arraigned in Westfield District Court Monday on 15 counts of larceny over $250.
Marek, 55, of 51 Kimberly Drive, Enfield, Connecticut, the former owner of the now defunct Marek Jewelers, turned himself in at court Monday on two outstanding warrants.
The Associated Press is reporting that Marek also owns Marek Jewelers in Enfield, Conn., but owner Ray Marek, who is Scott Marek’s cousin, told The Westfield News Tuesday morning that Myron Marek (Scott Marek’s father) “owns an interest in the store, but Scott does not.”
According to connecticutcorps.com, the principals of Marek Jewelers in Enfield are listed as Scott M. Marek of 51 Kimberly Drive and Raymond J. Marek of East Granby. Ray Marek said this info. is outdated.
Charges against Scott Marek out of Westfield District Court include an August 15 case with nine counts of larceny over $250 and an October 10 case with six counts of larceny over $250.
Judge Philip Contant set bail at $1,000 cash surety per case – $2,000 total, as agreed upon by the prosecution and defense.
Scott Marek’s father, Myron Marek, posted bail on behalf of his son.
Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe said the charges date back to February when customers began complaining that they brought in items to be repaired or to be sold on consignment, but their items were not getting fixed/returned nor were they receiving money for items that may have been sold.
Assistant District Attorney Magali Montes told Contant that Marek also had a warrant pending out of Chicopee, but Marek’s attorney, John Pearson, said that had been taken care of last week.
On December 15, “Scott M. Marek, 55, of 51 Kimberly Dr., Enfield, was charged with second-degree failure to appear,” according to The Enfield Patch.
Contant set pretrial release conditions including for Marek to remain drug and alcohol free with random testing to be done by probation and for him to make no abuse or threats to any of the alleged victims.
Westfield police had issued a warrant for Marek’s arrest on November 18 after he was accused of stealing customer’s property valued between $5,000 to $10,000.
Marek stopped going to his shop at 82 Main Street in early November and customers began posting notes on the door of the closed business in mid-November. There were two notes regarding a blue topaz bracelet, one saying, “it means so much to me. It’s from my grandkids.”
On November 19, Westfield City Council revoked Marek’s junk dealer and junk collector licenses, which had been issued in 2012, due to the police investigation, according to Karen Fanion, Westfield City Clerk and clerk of council.
Marek’s shop was emptied out in late November after he was evicted on November 23 and barred from the premises.
Marek is due back in court on February 12 for a pretrial hearing.
Staff Writer Christine Charnosky can be reached at [email protected]
