A Jefferson County business owner is out several thousand dollars after unknowingly purchasing stolen jewelry from a customer. 

David Setree has been in the precious metals industry for several years and admits, he has come across customers trying to sell stolen jewelry.

Unfortunately, after helping police catch criminals in the past, he because a victim of theft by deception. 

Setree told 6 News he recently purchased jewelry from a customer he had done business with before.

Setree typically buys and sells rare coins, but he does buy jewelry from time to time.

Setree said he purchased jewelry from this customer. 

A few weeks later the seller and his parents came back to his business and the man admitted to Setree that the jewelry was stolen.

State police in Punxsutawney said that there have been several investigations into break-in's where jewelry was stolen. 

Setree said he paid the man more than $9,000 for the jewelry.

Setree told 6 News that police arrested the man and he is currently in jail in Jefferson County.

When Setree asked the man for his money back, he told Setree that he didn't have it.

Since Setree has helped police catch thieves in the past who have tried to sell stolen jewelry, he helped police again.

On Monday, Setree returned the stolen jewelry back to its rightful owners.

Despite being out more than $9,000 he said he is happy the victims are able to get their possessions back.