Brenda Yessenia Velasquez, 35, of Wichita Falls, is facing serious felony charges after allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of collectible coins and vintage baseball cards from her employer while he was away on vacation. Velasquez has been charged with theft of property valued at over $300,000 and was booked into the Wichita County Jail on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
The Alleged Theft
According to the Wichita Falls Police Department, Velasquez, who worked as a cleaning lady for the victim, took the items from the man’s home while he was on vacation between November 2 and November 16, 2024. The stolen items included collectible gold and silver coins valued at $315,000, along with vintage baseball cards, according to the victim’s report.
The victim, who had been contacted by Gold Standard Auctions about an attempt to sell the coins, quickly realized the coins were missing and contacted authorities. Police were dispatched to the residence on November 25, 2024, where they began their investigation.
Velasquez’s Text Message and Apology
While police were still at the scene, the victim received a text message from Velasquez, who admitted to the theft. In the message, Velasquez apologized, stating she was under financial stress due to her mother’s cancer diagnosis and had taken the coins in hopes of selling them to help with medical expenses.
The message read:
“First of all, I want to say I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t be on my way home to my family right now. I know you’re more than mad and upset, but if you could give me the opportunity to hear me out in person—if not, I understand. I’ve just been going through a lot after my mom got told she has cancer and trying to figure out how to come up with money to pay for everything. I know what I did was wrong, but in my head, it seemed easy when I saw their flyer, and it said they paid money, so I figured I would have something to help out with. Again, I’m sorry. I don’t have anything else, but all I ask is to please at least let me be at my mom’s surgery Wednesday morning when they take her tumor out. I’m sorry and embarrassed because of all this.”
Bond and Legal Proceedings
Velasquez was arrested and booked into the Wichita County Jail but was later released on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, after posting a $250,000 bond. Authorities continue to investigate the theft and its circumstances.