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In a case that has shocked the community, Katherine Angulo Rivera, 27 years old, was arrested for the second time in less than a month after being accused of stealing thousands of dollars in jewelry from elderly individuals.
The new arrest occurred after one of the victims, who had been deceived by Angulo Rivera, identified her after seeing her image in the reports from Telemundo 51.
Now there are three elderly people accusing her of taking advantage of their vulnerability and trust, using a fraudulent method that has left them without their valuable belongings.
According to the authorities, Angulo Rivera presented himself as a friendly individual who sought to gain the trust of elderly residents, particularly those who spoke Spanish, in order to commit his crimes.
The modus operandi: A fraud involving "cleaning" jewelry
The police investigation has revealed that Angulo Rivera used a similar pattern of deceit in all his robberies.
He would show up at the homes of his victims, typically elderly individuals living alone or as couples, offering to perform household chores or buy old items like broken glasses or picture frames. On one occasion, he offered to clean people's jewelry, claiming he would make it look brand new.
After being arrested earlier this month and released on bail, she has been detained again, this time for stealing $30,000 worth of jewelry from a 70-year-old woman in Miami-Dade County.
In this latest appearance before the court, Angulo Rivera was informed of the charges she faced, including abuse and exploitation of an elderly person, as well as first-degree robbery.
The judge set a bail of $15,000 for the new charges and prohibited any contact with the victims, either directly or indirectly.
This new arrest of Katherine occurred when the robbery victim recognized her in a news report broadcast earlier this month. The elderly woman identified her after seeing her image and reported her to the authorities.
The Miami Police have reported that more victims are believed to exist, as Angulo Rivera was traveling from Kissimmee to South Florida specifically to carry out these robberies.
During his scams, he used tactics designed to gain the trust of elderly individuals, taking advantage of their age vulnerability and their tendency to trust those who offer assistance.
A pattern of fraud that has left its mark on the community
Angulo Rivera's modus operandi has left a trail of victims in its wake, all of whom are elderly individuals who, trusting in his kindness, allowed him to enter their homes.
Her first arrest occurred at the beginning of the month, when she was accused of stealing jewelry from several residents of the Flagami neighborhood. She posted a bail of $7,500 and was released, but the Police warned that the investigation was still ongoing and that more charges could arise.
At that time, the story of Nelsa Silvana, an 81-year-old woman, came to light. She recounted that another woman arrived at her house and offered to clean her jewelry. Once inside, she placed the jewelry in a cup with an unknown solution and covered it with a napkin.
After an hour, when Nelsa tried to check the items, she discovered that they had disappeared, along with the woman. The loss was estimated at around $2,000, although the most important factor is its sentimental value.
In a statement, Miami Police Chief Manny Morales expressed his concern about the methods used by the accused.
"This suspect took advantage of the kindness and vulnerability of our elderly residents with a calculated and ruthless plan. I am proud of the patrol officers and detectives who located her, and we encourage anyone who has been a victim or had contact with her to come forward," he expressed.
The police are asking for the community's cooperation
Authorities urge anyone who has been a victim of this type of fraud to get in touch with the Theft Unit of the Miami Police Department.
Officials also remind that they can report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477, or by sending a text message to 274637 with the code CSMD.
Although Angulo Rivera was captured, the victims of his fraud continue to struggle to recover what was taken from them, both in economic and emotional terms.
As the investigation progresses, it is likely that more charges will be filed and more victims of the fraud will be uncovered.
The importance of prevention and protection for the elderly
This case highlights the importance of monitoring and protecting the elderly against fraud and scams.
Authorities recommend that elderly individuals do not accept unsolicited services in their homes, especially from individuals they do not know.
Additionally, they are urged to maintain constant communication with family members or close friends and to be vigilant for any suspicious behavior.
Frequently asked questions about the case of robberies targeting the elderly in Miami
Who is Katherine Angulo Rivera and why was she arrested?
Katherine Angulo Rivera is a 27-year-old woman accused of stealing thousands of dollars in jewelry from elderly people in Miami. She was arrested for the second time in less than a month after being identified by one of her victims. She employed a fraudulent method where she offered to clean the jewelry of elderly individuals, taking advantage of their trust.
What was Katherine Angulo Rivera's modus operandi?
The modus operandi of Katherine Angulo Rivera involved gaining the trust of elderly individuals by offering to perform household tasks and suggesting the cleaning of their jewelry. During the process, she would use an unknown solution and take the jewelry, leaving them without their belongings.
What charges does Katherine Angulo Rivera face?
Katherine Angulo Rivera faces charges of abuse and exploitation of an elderly person, as well as first-degree robbery. She was arrested again after being identified in a television report by one of her victims, who recognized her and reported her to the authorities.
What measures does the police recommend to prevent fraud against older adults?
The police recommend that older adults do not accept unsolicited services in their homes, especially from unknown individuals. They also suggest maintaining constant communication with family or close friends and staying vigilant for suspicious behaviors.
What should victims of this type of fraud do?
Victims of this type of fraud should contact the Miami Police Department's Robbery Unit to report the incident. They can also do so anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477 or by sending a text message with the code CSMD.
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