2 maids steal boss’ Cartier, diamond ring

Two housemaids have been accused of stealing more than P1 million worth of jewelry, including a diamond ring, from their employer in Quezon City, two months after they started working for her.

Rosali Baterna, 35, and Luzviminda Hernandez, 22, were arrested by the police in follow-up operations in Caloocan City based on the complaint of Lydia Ramirez, a 54-year-old businesswoman.

The two underwent inquest proceedings on charges of qualified theft Thursday afternoon, said case investigator PO2 Gilmer Marinas.

Upon the two women’s arrest, the police recovered P4,000 in cash from them although they did not find Ramirez’s diamond-studded ring valued at P1 million and a Cartier watch worth P250,000.

Ramirez told the police that she was at work on Tuesday night when Hernandez texted her and said that she had Baterna leaving the house with the businesswoman’s personal belongings.

The complainant rushed home, talked to Hernandez and found out someone had indeed taken her diamond ring, Cartier watch and money which she had hidden in a purple suitcase.

The following morning, however, Hernandez was nowhere to be found. Upon questioning, Ramirez’s driver, Eugenio Calacat, claimed that on Tuesday, he saw the two women examining the businesswoman’s purple suitcase.

Ramirez went to the Quezon City Police District’s theft and robbery section which conducted a follow-up operation, leading to the two women’s arrest in Caloocan City on Wednesday.