LAKELAND, Fla. (February 24, 2026) — A 31-year-old Lakeland resident who owns her own cleaning business has been arrested after allegedly stealing more than $12,000 worth of jewelry from an elderly client’s home and pawning the items fraudulently.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrested Ashley Hernandez on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, following an investigation that began on Friday, February 13, 2026. A 67-year-old victim reported that Hernandez, hired to clean her Lakeland residence three times since December 2025, had entered the master bedroom during scheduled cleanings and stolen jewelry valued at approximately $11,500.
The victim discovered the missing items on February 11, including:
- An 8-inch diamond bracelet valued at $2,000
- A pendant valued at $3,000
- An 18-carat gold men’s ring with a Medusa imprint valued at $3,000
- A 7-inch 18-carat gold ID bracelet valued at $3,000
- A pair of 18-carat gold panther earrings valued at $500
Detectives traced several pieces to Quick Cash Liquidators, where Hernandez allegedly completed 12 separate fraudulent pawn transactions. The total value of the stolen jewelry is estimated at $12,180, though some items have already been sold or melted down and cannot be recovered.
Hernandez was charged with:
- Dealing in stolen property (felony, second degree)
- Providing false owner information to a pawnbroker (felony, second degree)
- Theft from a person 65 years or older (felony, second degree)
During the probe, the victim noted accusations of similar thefts on Hernandez’s social media. A friend of the victim, who had also hired Hernandez for cleaning services in Brandon, reported missing items worth $350. While the theft aspect is handled by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County detectives confirmed that some of the Brandon jewelry was pawned in Polk County, leading to additional charges against Hernandez for dealing in stolen property and providing false information to a pawnbroker.
Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized the breach of trust involved in the case. “When you invite someone into your home to work, you’re placing a great deal of trust in them. This suspect took advantage of that trust, and our detectives, who are the very best, wasted no time uncovering the truth. I would suggest that anyone who allowed this suspect into their home do a full inventory on their valuables, and report any suspected theft to your local law enforcement agency,” Sheriff Judd stated.
Authorities urge anyone who employed Hernandez’s cleaning services to check their valuables and contact law enforcement if theft is suspected.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
