A woman arrested for stealing an employee’s engagement ring at a San Leandro Jack in the Box on Friday is refusing to give it back, police said.

Police arrested 51-year-old Karen Cotton, a San Leandro transient, at around noon Friday. She is accused of stealing a backpack with an engagement ring inside left in the restaurant, located at 699 Lewelling Blvd., on Oct. 6.

Police identified Cotton through surveillance images. The backpack belongs to an 18-year-old employee who accidentally left the bag in the dining area.

“The employee, who was recently engaged to marry, had her diamond engagement ring inside of her backpack along with cash and other valuables. The victim employee realized the bag was left behind and only minutes later returned to find the backpack gone,” police said.

The ring and other contents inside the backpack were valued at $1,500.

Police issued a warrant for Cotton’s arrest on Oct. 17.

She was arrested in the 15400 block of Hesperian Boulevard in San Leandro.

Officers tried to talk to Cotton to find out where the ring was, but she refused to cooperate, police said.

“We were hoping to find some compassion in the suspect, hoping that she would at least help us locate and return the engagement ring to the young woman,” San Leandro Police Lieutenant Isaac Benabou said. “Often time people commit thefts because the opportunity is there and don’t think about the personal attachments the items may have to the victim. I have seen many theft suspects do what is right and return the property to the victims, but not Karen (Cotton). This suspect showed no compassion or remorse for stealing the young woman’s engagement ring.”

Cotton was booked into the San Leandro City Jail and will be arraigned next week in Dublin.

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