Woman Arrested Again for Allegedly Stealing Thousands in Jewelry from Elderly in Miami

In a case that has shaken the community, Katherine Angulo Rivera, a 27-year-old woman, has been apprehended for the second time in less than a month, accused of stealing thousands of dollars in jewelry from senior citizens. Her recent arrest followed the identification by one of her victims, who recognized Angulo Rivera from news reports on Telemundo 51.

Currently, three elderly individuals have come forward, accusing her of exploiting their trust and vulnerability through a fraudulent method that left them without their precious belongings. Authorities revealed that Angulo Rivera posed as a friendly individual seeking to earn the trust of elderly residents, particularly targeting Spanish-speaking individuals, to carry out her crimes.

A Deceptive Scheme: The "Jewelry Cleaning" Fraud

The Miami Police investigation disclosed that Angulo Rivera employed a similar deceitful pattern in all her thefts. She would visit her victims' homes, often those of elderly individuals living alone or in pairs, offering to perform household chores or buy old items like broken glasses or picture frames. She would then offer to clean their jewelry, claiming she would make them as good as new.

After her initial arrest at the beginning of the month and subsequent release on bail, she was detained once more, this time for allegedly stealing $30,000 worth of jewelry from a 70-year-old woman in Miami-Dade County. During her latest court appearance, Angulo Rivera was informed of the charges she faces, including abuse and exploitation of an elderly adult, as well as first-degree theft. The judge set her bail at $15,000 for the new charges and prohibited any contact with the victims, either directly or indirectly.

This recent capture occurred when the robbery victim recognized her from a TV report aired earlier this month. The elderly woman identified her upon seeing her image and reported it to the authorities.

Further Investigation and Community Impact

The Miami Police believe there might be more victims, as Angulo Rivera reportedly traveled from Kissimmee to South Florida specifically to commit these thefts. During her scams, she used tactics designed to gain the trust of older adults, exploiting their age-related vulnerabilities and tendency to trust those offering help.

Angulo Rivera's methods have left a trail of victims, all elderly individuals who, trusting in her apparent kindness, allowed her into their homes. Her first arrest was earlier this month, accused of stealing jewelry from several residents in the Flagami neighborhood. She posted $7,500 bail and was released, but the police warned that the investigation remained open and additional charges might arise.

At that time, the story of Nelsa Silvana, an 81-year-old woman, emerged. She recounted how the suspect came to her home offering to clean her jewelry. Once inside, she placed the items in a cup with an unknown solution and covered them with a napkin. An hour later, when Nelsa checked the jewelry, they were gone, along with the woman. The loss was estimated at $2,000, though their sentimental value was irreplaceable.

In a statement, Miami Police Chief Manny Morales expressed concern over the methods used by the accused. "This suspect took advantage of the kindness and vulnerability of our senior residents with a calculated and ruthless plan. I am proud of the patrol officers and detectives who found her, and we encourage anyone who has been victimized or had contact with her to come forward," he stated.

Police Urge Community Cooperation

The authorities are urging anyone who has been a victim of this type of fraud to contact the Miami Police Department's Robbery Unit. Officers also remind the community that they can report anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477, or by texting 274637 with the code CSMD.

Although Angulo Rivera has been captured, her fraud victims continue to struggle to recover what was taken from them, both financially and sentimentally. As the investigation progresses, more charges are likely, and further victims may be discovered.

Protecting Seniors from Fraud

This case highlights the importance of vigilance and protecting seniors from frauds and scams. Authorities recommend that older individuals avoid accepting unsolicited services in their homes, especially from people they do not know. Additionally, they are urged to maintain constant communication with family or close friends and to be vigilant for any suspicious behavior.