A Modesto woman operating an unlicensed maid service is facing charges of elder abuse for allegedly stealing $14,000 in jewelry from a client.
The Turlock Police Department believes there might be other victims of theft who hired the woman, identified as Catrina Moreno, 42, to clean house.
The elderly victim in this case met Moreno on a website she used to find a maid service. Moreno and the victim agreed upon a price to clean her home and Moreno began her work on Aug. 24 at the victim’s home in Turlock. On Aug. 28, the victim discovered multiple jewelry items missing and confirmed with the initial responding officers, Moreno had been the only other person in her home since the cleaning on Aug. 24.
Detectives were able to access a Department of Justice website, which tracks items that have been sold or pawned, and were able to find jewelry Moreno had recently sold, including some that belonged to the elderly victim.
In addition to stolen jewelry, Moreno sold other valuable property to several second-hand dealers, which investigators suspect may have been stolen from other people.
The investigation has indicated Moreno was operating an unlicensed cleaning business in Turlock and surrounding communities.
“If you have been a victim of theft from your residence and have hired Moreno or Maid2Clean services, please contact your local law enforcement agency,” said Turlock Police Detective Matthew Ulrich. “It is possible Moreno intentionally targeted elderly clients.”
Moreno was booked Wednesday afternoon at the Stanislaus County Jail on charges of grand theft, obtaining money by false pretenses and financial elder abuse.
The Turlock Police Department asks that anyone with information regarding this investigation to call Detective Matthew Ulrich at (209) 668-6570. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.
The Turlock Police Department is an active participant in the Crime Stoppers Program. Callers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 and may be eligible for a cash reward.
