Five different Wanaque residents came to headquarters to report various pieces of gold jewelry stolen from their homes along with cash, Capt. Kenneth Fackina said Monday morning.
Detective Sgt. Phil Cavallaro and Detective Kathy Carman found that all of the victims used the same cleaning woman the past six years and were "very comfortable with her," Fackina said.
During the entire time, they never reported any trouble he said.
Earlier this year, she began bringing her boyfriend as an assistant, the captais said.
Detectices watched on Friday as 43-year-old Shawn Kemp took cash from one of the victim's dressers, Fackina said.
They arrested him as he left the building carrying the cash and a stolen wrist watch, he said.
"It is believed, at this time, his girlfriend was unaware of the thefts," Fackina said.
Kemp, who also had a no-bail warrant out of Westwood, was charged with four counts of theft, two of disorderly conduct and one of receiving stolen property.
Detectives then turned him over to the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office on the warrant.
They were still working to recover the jewelry, Fackina said.
Click here to follow Daily Voice West Milford and receive free news updates.