Domestic helper arrested in theft case

[Photo: Renato Marques]

The Judiciary Police (PJ) have arrested a 44-year-old Indonesian domestic helper on suspicion of stealing cash and gold coins from her employer.

Police said the suspect was hired in October 2025 and lived at her employer’s home in Macau’s northern district.

As detailed by the PJ, the employer first noticed in early 2026 that approximately HKD14,000 in cash had disappeared from a bedroom but did not report the theft at the time because there was no proof the helper was responsible.

The case escalated when the employer found that 11 gold coins worth about HKD60,000 were missing from the same room.

PJ spokesman Chao Teng Hin said the suspect climbed into the room through an unsecured enclosure linked to the living room and the employer’s bedroom.

“The suspect, in March 2026, climbed through a window into the victim’s bedroom through a protruding window cage connecting the living room and the bedroom […] and stole the victim’s gold coins,” Chao said.

After being questioned, the suspect admitted to taking the items.

Moreover, through their investigation, the PJ uncovered that the suspect had sold the gold coins at a jewelry store in Indonesia while on leave.

The suspect is currently being referred to the Public Prosecutions Office on a charge of aggravated theft. NS