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.