Salinas Online Caregiver Jailed For Alleged Identity Theft, Forgery
SALINAS (CBS SF) -- A Salinas woman hired by a Carmel family through an online service to assist in their home was arrested in Monterey County on suspicion of stealing the family's financial information and using it to pay her bills and buy a new car, according to the Monterey County Sheriff's Office.
Jasmine Zavala, 18, allegedly stole credit card and bank account information from the family's home in the 25200 block of Randall Way during her employment, according to the sheriff's office.
The family supposedly hired Zavala through Care.com, a listing site for various types of caregivers, such as nannies, tutors, and housekeepers.
The site provides audio references for potential caregivers, who can post their information on the site for free. When someone looking to hire help wants to contact a caregiver, the site provides a free background check, according to Care.com.
The sheriff's office said that Zavala allegedly used the financial information to pay credit card and utility bills online, and later allegedly stole a checkbook, credit cards, documents, jewelry and electronics.
According to the sheriff's office, Zavala allegedly used a stolen check to make a down payment on a red 2012 Chevrolet Camaro that she had fraudulently purchased with Sandra Juarez, 36, of Salinas.
Deputies allegedly recovered items stolen from the Randall Way home when serving a search warrant at Zavala's Eagle Drive home.
Deputies also recovered the Camaro, forged documents and an altered identification card.
Zavala and Juarez were arrested and booked into county jail on suspicion of burglary, forgery, check forgery, grand theft and falsely assuming the identity of another person.
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