Health care worker accused of ripping off patients

Police say a home health care worker from Lyndhurst purloined more than $40,000 worth of jewelry while on the job caring for a man with a serious illness. Celinda Encalada allegedly tried to sell the

News 12 Staff

Jun 16, 2009, 1:29 AM

Updated 5,701 days ago

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Police say a home health care worker from Lyndhurst purloined more than $40,000 worth of jewelry while on the job caring for a man with a serious illness.
Celinda Encalada allegedly tried to sell the stolen jewelry at stores throughout Bergen County. Investigators say a search warrant executed at her home turned up more stolen items, including TVs and computer equipment, believed to be from another patient's home in New Milford.
"I think this was a theft of opportunity," says Chief Bryan Gurney, of the Ramsey Police Department.
Encalada has been jailed on $75,000 bail.