Housekeeper arrested for grand theft

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A woman who worked as a housekeeper in Rockville Centre, East Rockaway and Lynbrook has been arrested by Nassau County police and charged with stealing jewelry valued at more than $16,000 from her employers.

Maribel Arroliga-Morales, 38, of Jamaica, Queens, was arrested at Nassau’s 4th precinct in Hewlett on Nov. 18. She was to be arraigned on Nov. 19 at First District Court in Hempstead.

According to Rockville Centre police, Arroliga-Morales was arrested and charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and petit larceny on Nov. 19 after allegedly stealing property from Lakeview and DeMott Avenue homes.

According to NCPD 4th Squad detectives, sometime between Oct. 1 and Nov. 17, Arroliga-Morales stole a bracelet from her Lynbrook employer valued at $1,100.

On Nov. 11, an East Rockaway resident noticed that two rings, valued at more than $15,000, were missing. This victim contacted friends who also used Arroliga-Morales as a housekeeper. According to police, one of the victim’s rings was discovered in the house of a friend.

“Don’t assume that everyone you invite into your home can be trusted,” said Lynbrook Police Chief Joseph Neve.

“It’s scary that this can happen in your own home,” said an East Rockaway resident who identified herself only as Linda M., but said she lives near one of the victims. “Another friend of mine had cash gone missing, but by the time she realized it, the woman had quit.”

As of press time, detectives had no further information, but request that anyone who might have been a victim to contact the Rockville Centre Police Department at (516) 766-1500 or the 4th Squad at (516) 573-6453.