A Polk County cleaning business owner has been arrested for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars in jewelry from her clients, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Ashley Hernandez, 31, was first arrested on Feb. 18 for allegedly stealing more than $12,000 in jewelry from a Lakeland home. Following that arrest, a second victim came forward after seeing her name on social media. The Mulberry woman said she hired Hernandez three times—on Jan. 26, Feb. 13, and Feb. 23—and later discovered that a $2,500 white gold ring was missing from her bathroom jewelry dish.
Investigators traced the missing ring to Quick Cash Liquidators, where Hernandez reportedly completed 12 fraudulent pawn transactions, including the pawn of the missing ring on Jan. 28. The pawn receipt included her identification and thumbprint.
Hernandez was taken into custody again on March 2 and now faces multiple charges:
Dealing in stolen property
Providing false owner information to a pawnbroker
Scheme to defraud
Grand theft
Sheriff Grady Judd warned the public, “We would be willing to bet there are more victims out there… If Ashley cleaned your home, she may have cleaned you out. Please check your valuables and contact us if you suspect she did the same to you.”
Authorities continue to investigate whether additional victims exist.
