Husband, Wife Stole $45K In Jewelry From Bridgewater Senior Living Center: PD

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A Piscataway husband and wife are accused of working together to steal $45,000 worth of jewelry from residents at a senior living facility in Bridgewater and then selling it for cash, announced Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

Ana Rios, 40, of Orchard Street, Piscataway, was charged with third-degree theft, and third-degree conspiracy to commit theft. Her husband Ezequiel Rios was charged with third-degree receiving stolen property, and third-degree conspiracy to commit theft.

In January 2024, detectives assigned to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Burglary Unit began to investigate items of jewelry that were being sold in Somerset County for cash.

With the help of Bridgewater Township Police Officers, two pieces of jewelry, that were sold for cash, were found to have been reported stolen by residents of a local senior living facility located in Bridgewater Township, in August of 2023 and in February 2024.

Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Burglary Unit identified additional victims living at the same senior living facility who also had items of jewelry stolen, many of which were not reported to the police.

It was determined that between May 2023 and February 2024, Ana Rios stole items of jewelry that belonged to residents of the senior living facility where she worked as a housekeeper, said McDonald.

Rios would then turn the stolen jewelry over to her husband, Ezequiel Rios, to sell in exchange for cash, said McDonald.

It is estimated that jewelry stolen by Ana Rios and then sold by Rios or her husband, Ezequiel Rios, held a street value estimated at $45,000, said McDonald.

On April 8, Ana Rios, and Ezequiel Rios were arrested without incident in Piscataway. They both were released pending a court hearing in this matter.

Anyone with information relating to the thefts is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Burglary Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Bridgewater Township Police Department at 908-722-4111 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.