Deputies: House Cleaner Caught Stealing On Camera
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - A 23-year-old house cleaner is accused of stealing from clients after deputies in Arapahoe County set up surveillance.
Deputies arrested Liliana Calzadillas-Gonzalez after they say they caught her stealing jewelry on camera. They believe she is connected to about $10,000 worth of stolen jewelry and cash.
"She took everything," said theft victim Virginia Villegas.
Villegas said a diamond ring and necklaces are among the stolen items that cannot be replaced -- family heirlooms that would have been passed down to her daughter.
"The ring has been with me for 30 years... gold necklaces. They meant a lot to me. My husband bought them for me on special occasions," Villegas.
Investigators launched the operation after receiving five reports of cash and jewelry thefts after Arapahoe County used the same house cleaning service.
"You should be able to trust someone coming into your home," Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson.
Calzadillas-Gonzalez was working for her aunt who owned a small and un-bonded cleaning business when she was arrested and booked into the Arapahoe County Jail.
"The video taken by hidden cameras show the suspect picking up items of value, trying on jewelry and taking it away from the home," said Robinson.
Detectives said they placed marked jewelry inside the home and when Calzadillas-Gonzalez left the home, she was pulled over for a traffic violation. They said they found the evidence inside her car.
Villegas said the arrest gives her peace of mind, but her faith in people is shaken.
"I feel betrayed. I feel someone took something away from me that was very special," said Villegas.
Robinson said there are some preventative measures people can take to protect themselves.
- Video inventory valuable items.
- Don't give out a key to your home. For those needing access, law enforcement officers recommend using key pad locks where the code is only good for one use.
- Get to know the people coming into your home.
- Make sure they work for a bonded company.
