Migrant worker arrested for theft of MOP106,000 worth of jewelry

[Photo: Yuki Lei]

An Indonesian domestic helper has been arrested for allegedly stealing five diamond jewelry pieces worth about MOP 106,000 from two employers, then taking the items to Hong Kong to sell and wiring the proceeds back to Indonesia.

Two victims – a mother and daughter living on different floors of a building on Rua de Luís Gonzaga Gomes – were targeted in an aggravated theft case, with the elder victim having hired the 51-year-old suspect last June to run errands and mind her daughter’s child, giving the helper access to both flats, the Judiciary Police (PJ) said yesterday.

According to a special police press conference, at about 6 p.m. on Tuesday, the domestic helper was observed entering the daughter’s room while performing duties at her residence. Upon inspection, the victim discovered that three diamond jewelry items were missing from a jewelry box on the bedroom dressing table and promptly informed her mother.

After checking her own residence, the mother also found that two diamond pieces were missing from a bedroom drawer. Both victims subsequently filed reports with the police, with estimated losses of MOP38,000 and MOP68,500 respectively.

Police attended the scene and took the suspect to their headquarters for questioning, Judiciary Police spokesman Lei Chi Hou said yesterday.

Investigations revealed that the helper had exploited her work-related access to learn where valuables were kept in both residences. She stole two jewelry pieces from the mother’s flat in April when it was empty, and last month, while working at the daughter’s flat, she entered the bedroom unnoticed and took three more.

As reported, the suspect admitted to taking the five items to Hong Kong, selling them for about HKD5,000, and remitting the proceeds to Indonesia for living expenses.

The police stated that there are strong indications of the suspect’s involvement, and she will be transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP) on charges of aggravated theft, while the case has also been referred to the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) regarding suspected illegal cross-sector employment.