House Guest Allegedly Stole More Than $35K In Valuables From Airbnb Online Rental Home
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- A woman who is suspected of stealing more than $35,000 in valuables from a home she rented through the online lodging website Airbnb.com earlier this year wasn't too hard for police to find.
On June 8, officers responded to the 1400 block of 27th Avenue to investigate a theft, police said.
When they arrived, they spoke with the victim, who told officers that she had recently rented out her residence through an online lodging website.
The victim told police she had rented out her home to a customer on Apr. 27, police said.
During the customer's stay, the customer had access to the entire apartment, with the exception of a closet and an office that are kept locked and inaccessible to guests, according to police.
The victim said during that customer's stay, the customer had forced entry into the locked closet and office, and made off with over $35,000 in valuable merchandise, police said.
The victim gave police a copy of the video surveillance to her apartment. The video clearly shows the suspect entering the locked upstairs apartment.
The video also shows the suspect entering a commercial establishment located directly below the residence, police said.
Because of the video's quality, police were able to identify the suspect as 27-year-old Jana Dominquez of Richmond.
KCBS Reporter Tim Ryan has been renting out rooms on AirBNB for years and says he has never had trouble but he's very careful.
"I screen my people. And I turn 30, 35 per cent away," Ryan said.
He puts valuables in a safe and if he goes away he takes what he can with him. And he's never had a bad experience.
"I have not had so much as a drinking glass taken from me. Once, someone took a blanket, but four other times, people left blankets, so it's worked out great for me," Ryan said.
Dominquez has an active felony warrant for 2nd degree burglary and falsely impersonating another person, according to police.
Dominquez was located in the Sonoma County jail, where she was being held on a drug charge.
Anyone with information regarding Dominquez is encouraged to contact Sgt. Jesse Farrell at (415) 759-3100.
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