Trina Rodriguez, 41, of Chicago, was charged with financial exploitation of the elderly after police say she pawned a cherished gold watch belonging to her 93-year-old client in Palos Heights. Photo provided
Caregiver charged in elderly exploitation in Palos Heights gold watch heist
A 41-year-old Chicago woman was arrested Monday on charges of financial exploitation of the elderly after allegedly stealing and pawning a 93-year-old Palos Heights resident’s watch.
Police said the victim reported the theft Oct. 24, believing an in-home caregiver was responsible. Investigators used a description of the watch to locate it at a local pawn shop through an online database. Surveillance footage confirmed the caregiver had pawned the watch that morning.
Officers recovered the watch and returned it to the victim. On Nov. 4, investigators arrested Trina Rodriguez at her home. Police said Rodriguez confessed to the crime after being read her Miranda rights.
The elderly victim cherished the watch — a vintage 18-carat gold Omega Seamaster calendar model — as a wedding gift from his father-in-law more than 50 years ago. “
“For him, it wasn’t the value of the watch, it was sentimental,” said Sgt. John Parnitzke, who led the investigation.
Police recovered the watch from a Summit pawn shop shortly after it was reported missing. Worth several thousand dollars, the watch was verified by the description Pablo provided, with surveillance footage showing Rodriguez pawning it.
When officers questioned Rodriguez, she admitted to pawning the watch but denied taking any other items. According to authorities, this incident marked at least her second visit to the elderly man’s home.
During the investigation, police in Tinley Park became aware of similar allegations against Rodriguez involving a seperate elderly client. In that case, she had allegedly attempted to cash checks from the client’s bank account. Palos Heights and Tinley Park police coordinated efforts, and Rodriguez was later charged with aggravated identity theft in the Tinley Park case.
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