A local woman is facing two felony charges for allegedly ripping off a Holmes Beach couple while they were away from home on a European vacation last November.
Catherine Theresa O’Malley, 48, is facing charges of grand theft, a second-degree felony, and grand theft of a vehicle, a third-degree felony, in Manatee County.
O’Malley was arrested earlier this year in Sarasota, where, in an unrelated case, she is accused of fraud, presenting a false ID to a law enforcement officer and possession of narcotics/narcotics equipment.
In the Manatee County case, O’Malley, who provided addresses in Holmes Beach and Sarasota for her residency, was an early suspect. She had been hired by Barbara and David Hines to watch their home and pets while they were away.
Instead of acting as caretaker, O’Malley allegedly stole the couples’ car, jewelry and other possessions, as well as cashed forged checks.
A probable cause affidavit filed at the county judicial center states that O’Malley “knowingly obtained the property of another with the intent to temporarily or permanently deprive the owner of their right to the property.”
The document also said, “The victim’s bank fraud department has images showing the defendant cashing and attempting to cash the stolen checks throughout the area. The total amount for the items that were stolen is $23,213.”
O’Malley is in the Manatee County jail and is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment in July.