Franklin Lakes NJ police recently arrested a home health aide accused of stealing expensive belongings from her clients.

The suspect is a 30-year-old woman who lives in Garfield, New Jersey. According to law enforcement officials, the suspect gained entry to two homes in Franklin Lakes NJ because she worked at the residences as a health aide.

While the suspect was supposed to be providing assistance to the residents, she allegedly stole personal items such as expensive jewelry and electronics.

The first theft happened on August 18, 2016 at a home located on Courter Road in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. The suspect reportedly stole a laptop computer, jewelry, and multiple credit cards.

The second theft happened on September 11, 2016 at a home on Meadow Lane in Franklin, NJ. The suspect reportedly stole jewelry from the residence.

Franklin Lakes NJ detectives eventually identified the suspect as the possible culprit in the thefts and placed her under arrest. She was taken into police custody at her home in Garfield, NJ.

The suspect faces charges for multiple counts of theft of movable property. Since the total value of the stolen items is around $20K, the suspect would be subject to severe penalties if she is convicted on the theft charges. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3(a), theft of movable property (also known as “theft by unlawful taking”) is a third degree crime when the stolen property has a value of more than $500. A conviction for a third degree crime could lead to a sentence of 3-5 years in NJ State Prison.

After being arrested and processed, the suspect was moved to the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey.

For additional information about this case, view the NJ.com article, “Health Aide Preyed on Homes in Wealth N.J. Town, Police Say.”