Fred Hanson

The Patriot Ledger

Jan 19, 2011 @ 06:06 AM 

RANDOLPH —

If you’re going to try to sell fake gold jewelry as the real thing, don’t pick William Pace as a potential victim.

Pace not only is the town’s police chief, he runs a jewelry business.

So when a Boston man allegedly offered to sell Pace bogus gold, Pace wasn’t buying.

“I told him this is really not his day. First of all, I’m a cop, and second of all, I’m in the jewelry business,” said Pace, co-owner of William and Kenneth Fine Jewelry in Randolph.

The alleged incident took place at a Sudbury Farms store Sunday. Pace, wearing civilian clothes, was picking up snacks for the Patriots playoff game.

Pace said the suspect tried to sell items to another person before approaching him. He said he offered to sell him a bracelet and a chain for $100.

Pace said the jewelry had 14-karat gold markings but wasn’t the real thing. “Gold has a feel and a look,” he said.

The suspect, identified as Johnnie Butts, 48, of Boston, was taken to the police station. He will be issued a summons to appear in Quincy District Court on a charge of attempt to commit larceny by false pretense.

The chief said Butts had more fake gold jewelry, and police are investigating to see if he sold any.