My cleaning lady stole my engagement ring (and other jewelry) - what to do?

[Anonymous]

This reminds me of a news story about cleaning lady who stole from families over 10 years. This is what happens when you let strangers into your house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your house cleaner has a lot to lose if she actually did this, but also if she is wrongly accused, which makes me think she did not do it.

Just bc your cousin is family doesn't mean they didnt do it, they are capable of stealing too, specially if no one would suspect it was them. I actually witnessed a cousin of mine steal either coins or stamps from my mom's house. Don't remember what but it was something of small value. Either way, I'd say if anything it was your cousin.
Also, why dont you wear your engagement ring?

What? Borrowing a quarter isn't stealing...

I gave that as an example that even family can steal. I watched it happen, it was stealing. ( and cash has gone missing when this family visited before, but we never witnessed in action) my point was that sometimes people steal..whether big or small, it is still stealing. We didn't say anything about the quarter....but now we know this particular person has no problem stealing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she stole it, she probably won't show up to clean tomorrow. My friend's cleaning person stole her engagement ring and then disappeared. Shut of her (burner) phone. Ghost. Police couldn't do anything...couldn't find her.

We don't have a cleaning service because of that friends incident.n

Yes, it becomes much more suspicious if she doesn't come tomorrow. If she does show up, I would enlist her help in looking for the items. Do you know precisely what you've lost?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you certain the door wasn't left unlocked one day and someone came in and took it? That has happened where I live. Thieves don't necessarily make it obvious there was a theft. If the jewelry was in an obvious place like a box on your dresser, it's the first place someone is going to look when they enter your house.

RIGHT??? I love it how OP assumes no outside criminal activity can ever occur in her precious abode where only the help can steal.

Not possible. I have video cameras everywhere (except of course, my bedroom where these items are kept).

What? You have video cameras all over the interior of your home?

You are that security conscious and yet leave valuable jewelry sitting out in plain sight?

[Anonymous]

I would get in touch with her now asking if she has seen it. Mention that you are going crazy looking for it and are hoping she has seen it. Just happen to mention that you really hope she has seen it because if you have to fess up to your husband about it he's going to flip out and involve the police. Perhaps if she think she's helping you avoid "the wrath of your husband" it may miraculously reappear on Thursday! (getting in touch with her now gives her a chance to bring it back on Thursday if she does indeed have it)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she stole it, she probably won't show up to clean tomorrow. My friend's cleaning person stole her engagement ring and then disappeared. Shut of her (burner) phone. Ghost. Police couldn't do anything...couldn't find her.

We don't have a cleaning service because of that friends incident.n

Did your friends not have insurance? I can't imagine basing my decisions around such fear.

OP. You are 99% certain that someone stole something of pretty significant value from you but you haven't called the police?

No, you aren't that certain at all. Because 99% is pretty darn certain. I'd question your sanity were you actually CERTAIN that someone robbed you and you didn't report it. But you aren't that certain and that's why you haven't reported it.

I'm not reporting it yet because I don't think they will do anything to recover the items. Why waste my time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she stole it, she probably won't show up to clean tomorrow. My friend's cleaning person stole her engagement ring and then disappeared. Shut of her (burner) phone. Ghost. Police couldn't do anything...couldn't find her.

We don't have a cleaning service because of that friends incident.n

Did your friends not have insurance? I can't imagine basing my decisions around such fear.

OP. You are 99% certain that someone stole something of pretty significant value from you but you haven't called the police?

No, you aren't that certain at all. Because 99% is pretty darn certain. I'd question your sanity were you actually CERTAIN that someone robbed you and you didn't report it. But you aren't that certain and that's why you haven't reported it.

I'm not reporting it yet because I don't think they will do anything to recover the items. Why waste my time?

Because you were robbed (according to you) and you need a police report to make an insurance claim.

[Anonymous]

I highly doubt the cleaning lady took it. I think the most likely scenario is tha you lost it. I only ever put my rings in one place. But one day, I must have put my wedding band in my pocket when I put on lotion. I swore up and down that I put it in my ring holder, I distinctly remembered doing it because I could picture it so clearly after putting the rings there every day for years. Except that I didnt, and it was in my pocket and fell out in the yard and we found it months later.

I would ask her if she has seen them. Do not accuse her of stealing unless you have proof.

[Anonymous]

If the jewelry was a family item passed on to you, then it is even more likely to be family that took it. My sister has stolen many things from various family members. However, it is much more likely that you have misplaced the item and won't find it because it's in the vacuum, behind a crevice in the floorboards, or in a pocket of an item you took to the cleaners or goodwill. It's natural to fear someone else is more responsible for your misfortune than you yourself, but it just isn't the case. It's not like you had the maid in the house and saw the ring, then noticed it missing right after she dusted the table it was occupying.

[Anonymous]

You said you have a baby, how old is the kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the jewelry was a family item passed on to you, then it is even more likely to be family that took it. My sister has stolen many things from various family members. However, it is much more likely that you have misplaced the item and won't find it because it's in the vacuum, behind a crevice in the floorboards, or in a pocket of an item you took to the cleaners or goodwill. It's natural to fear someone else is more responsible for your misfortune than you yourself, but it just isn't the case. It's not like you had the maid in the house and saw the ring, then noticed it missing right after she dusted the table it was occupying.

Yes, it may be very well be that I misplaced it. If this helps at all with the analysis, the entire jewelry box containing the ring, the earrings and watch, is missing. So, it's not like I just misplaced one item in a pant pocket or something like that. That box is missing.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP's that suggest it's just misplaced. Three years seems like a long time to work for someone if you were going to steal.

My elderly mom loses things all the time and always jumps to the worst conclusion. I can usually locate the item for her pretty quickly. Maybe have a friend come over and help you search. A second set of eyes can be helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the jewelry was a family item passed on to you, then it is even more likely to be family that took it. My sister has stolen many things from various family members. However, it is much more likely that you have misplaced the item and won't find it because it's in the vacuum, behind a crevice in the floorboards, or in a pocket of an item you took to the cleaners or goodwill. It's natural to fear someone else is more responsible for your misfortune than you yourself, but it just isn't the case. It's not like you had the maid in the house and saw the ring, then noticed it missing right after she dusted the table it was occupying.

Yes, it may be very well be that I misplaced it. If this helps at all with the analysis, the entire jewelry box containing the ring, the earrings and watch, is missing. So, it's not like I just misplaced one item in a pant pocket or something like that. That box is missing.

I was with all the PP's who said you probably lost it until this info came out. Hard to misplace a box.

[Anonymous]

I put on all my good stuff when they come. Doesn't everyone? I trust them but I wouldn't leave a wad of cash on the counter either.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP - I had the same thing happen to me and I filed the police report. You need to call the pawn brokers nearest your cleaning person and (in our case the temp agency). I trusted and supported "Becky", but indeed she or the temp pawned my rings and the honest broker called me. I paid him well.