The Holmes Beach Police Department issued a warrant for the arrest of a woman suspected of stealing from a home where she was hired to pet-sit.
The suspect is identified in a probable cause affidavit from HBPD as Catherine Theresa O’Malley, 48.
No address was provided for O’Malley. The affidavit stated that she “cannot be located but is supposed to be living in numerous places within Sarasota.” Her last known Island address was in the 200 block of 77th Street in Holmes Beach.
O’Malley, in the document signed Dec. 1 by HBPD detective Michael Leonard, is accused of grand theft, a felony.
“The defendant knowingly obtained the property of another with the intent to temporarily or permanently deprive the owner of their right to the property,” the report stated.
O’Malley allegedly stole from Barbara and David Hines, who hired the former Haley’s Motel employee to take care of their pets and clean their Holmes Beach home while they vacationed in Italy.
The Hines were abroad in early November when they began to have trouble with their bank accounts.
When they returned, they learned of checks cashed on their accounts and found numerous items missing from their residence, including a car.
“The defendant was not given permission or authorization to take or use any of the victim’s belongings,” the police affidavit stated. “The defendant stole the victim’s vehicle and a large amount of property from the victim’s house.”
HBPD also reported that a witness said O’Malley bragged to her about the theft and selling the belongings at antique stores “so that she could obtain money to buy crack cocaine.”
Stolen property includes jewelry, art, a purse, checks, credit cards, cash and coins, CDs, dishes, crystal, statues, a GPS device, miniature collectibles, decorative items, clothing and furnishings.
“The victim’s bank fraud department has images showing the defendant cashing and attempting to cash the stolen checks throughout the area,” HBPD reported. “The total amount for the items that were stolen is $23,213.”
If arrested, O’Malley’s bond has been pre-determined — $10,000.
A police report described her as having long, straight blonde hair and about 5 feet, 5 inches tall with a light build.