A home-care worker is being investigated on suspicion of stealing cash and jewellery from elderly and dependent people she looked after in Tenerife, according to the Guardia Civil, who have linked the 31-year-old woman to at least two cases in Candelaria.
Officers say she was able to enter the victims' homes through her work providing care to elderly and dependent people. The investigation remains open, with police trying to establish whether there could be more victims who have not yet realised that money or valuables are missing.
Cash and jewellery disappeared gradually
The investigation began after one of the victims noticed that cash and jewellery had gradually disappeared from their home.
A total of €600 in cash was reported missing, together with jewellery valued at more than €6,000.
As officers investigated, they discovered a second case involving a 99-year-old woman.
Some of the missing jewellery was then traced to second-hand buying and selling businesses in Candelaria.
Jewellery could be worth €30,000
The jewellery involved in the second case could be worth as much as €30,000 because of the type of pieces and precious stones they contained, including emeralds and diamonds.
Some of the recovered items have already been identified by their owners.
The Guardia Civil is continuing its enquiries to determine whether other elderly or dependent people may also have had money or valuables taken from their homes.
Anyone who believes they could have been affected is advised to check valuables and financial records carefully and report any unexplained losses to the authorities.
