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Worker charged in lodge thefts
Date: 25/2/07
Author:
Neil Nisperos
Source: The Lompc Record
When residents' jewelry and money started disappearing from the Lodge of Lompoc elderly care facility last year, employee Stella Grijalva spoke out the loudest.
“What kind of person would do this?” she asked other employees.
Police said Friday they believe Grijalva knows the answer.
Grijalva, 51, Lompoc, was arrested after she was allegedly caught on tape stealing $65 from a wallet that had been planted in a resident's room after items were reported missing. She was charged with suspicion of burglary and elderly abuse Feb. 17 and released on $50,000 bond, according to police.
Grijalva, who has since been fired, worked the graveyard shift at the Lodge, passing out medication and regularly checking on the welfare of residents.
Lodge Director Natalie Beltran said she planted the wallet and, and with residents' permission, hidden cameras throughout the nursing home, in the hopes of finding who had been stealing their property and money for up to a year.
Beltran viewed the shocking tape on Feb. 17, footage she said was recorded the night before.
“My whole mouth dropped when I saw her on the video,” she said. “I couldn't believe it. I immediately gave the police information on where to locate her.”
After arresting Grijalva, police said they located numerous items, including jewelry and money, that did not belong to her.
Police said they believe the stealing had been going on for the past six to 12 months.
Beltran said she was surprised when she saw Grijalva on the tape because the med supervisor had been outspoken in her criticism of the thefts.
“She's been an employee for a while and we didn't think it would be her. We've had a lot of theft in the last year,” Beltran said.
“She would say, ‘How could these people be so mean and stealing?'
“She's the one who spoke out against this behavior to make sure everyone knew it was wrong. ‘What kind of people would be taking money, because that's wrong,' she would say.”
Grijalva had been working at the Lodge since 2004 after a stint as a Clarence Ruth Elementary School lunch lady, said Beltran.
She said Grijalva has had no prior criminal record and all employees at the Lodge are screened before they are hired.
A police spokesperson was unavailable for comment as of press time but the investigation is ongoing. In a press released, Sgt. Deanna Clement asked that police be contacted at 736-2341 if any resident of the Lodge of Lompoc, or a friend or family member, believes they have had items stolen from them.
Beltran said the situation has been a sad one.
“It's really a tragic this had to happen, especially to these elderly residents,” Beltran said. “They don't deserve it. Right now they're in retirement and they can't recoup their money by going and getting a job. Also, there's a sentimental value with jewelry and when they don't get that back, it's kind of hard for them.”
Beltran, who is still assessing the total cost of resident loss, said she will continue to use hidden cameras in the Lodge and will be cautious.
“You have to be more aware,” Beltran said. “You can't trust somebody just because they've been here so long.”
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