Piscataway couple accused of stealing $45,000 worth of jewelry from seniors

BRIDGEWATER — A Piscataway couple has been accused of stealing $45,000 worth of jewelry from residents of a Bridgewater senior living facility where the woman worked and selling it for cash.

Ana Rios, 40, and her husband, Ezequiel Rios, 43, were arrested April 8 in Piscataway, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald announced.

Ana Rios was charged with theft and conspiracy to commit theft, both third-degree felonies, and her husband was charged with receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit theft, both third-degree felonies. They were both released pending a hearing at the Supreme Court.

In January, detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Burglary Unit began investigating reports of jewelry being sold for cash in Somerset County.

As part of the investigation, Bridgewater police discovered that two pieces of jewelry sold had been stolen from residents of a senior living facility in the township in August 2023 and February 2024.

Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Burglary Unit were also able to identify other residents of the same senior home who had jewelry stolen but who did not report the thefts to police.

The investigation revealed that between May 2023 and February 2024, Ana Rios allegedly stole jewelry from residents of the senior living facility where she worked as a housekeeper, McDonald said.

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She then allegedly gave the stolen items to her husband to sell in exchange for cash, prosecutors said.

Police said the stolen jewelry had an estimated street value of $45,000.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Burglary Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Bridgewater Township Police Department at 908-722-4111 or via the STOPit app. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential.

Email: [email protected]

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, subscribe or activate your digital account today.

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