The theft of more than $90,000 in jewelry from a Chickamauga residence is tied, at least in part, to a GBI investigation on Catoosa County deputy magistrate Anthony Peters.

Chickamauga police chief Michael Haney said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation came to the police department inquiring about a burglary report filed on May 25 involving Peters and his girlfriend.

The GBI is investigating Peters and two incidents in Walker County. The Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit office requested the investigation on May 28.

In the Chickamauga police report Vicki Carpenter of Chickamauga claimed the jewelry and a handgun were taken from her residence. Carpenter’s daughter, 32-year-old Nicole Thomas, who is the girlfriend of 48-year-old Peters, was listed as a suspect in the theft. Peters was not listed as a suspect.

Peters was relieved of his duties last week as a Ringgold judge. He is also on administrative leave from county magistrate court after an altercation June 16 with chief magistrate Donald “Sonny” Caldwell, in which Peters was handcuffed and escorted from the courthouse.

According to the Chickamauga police report, Thomas admitted to being at the house earlier in the day, but claims she didn’t steal anything from the residence. Thomas and Peters were both questioned about the incident at Peters’ home.

Peters denied any involvement and claimed that his girlfriend had not taken the items that were reported stolen, according to police.

The report also indicates that Thomas’ Jeep Cherokee was seen at the scene of the crime earlier in the day and that Peters parked the Jeep behind the barn at his residence.