By: Richard L. Smith
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald has announced the arrest of Ana Rios, 40, and her husband, Ezequiel Rios, 43, both residents of Orchard Street in Piscataway, New Jersey.
The couple is charged in connection with a series of thefts at a senior living facility in Bridgewater Township.
The investigation, which began in January 2024 by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Burglary Unit, revealed that jewelry sold for cash in Somerset County had been stolen from residents of the facility.
With the assistance of the Bridgewater Township Police Department, detectives traced two specific jewelry items sold by the couple back to thefts reported in August 2023 and February 2024. Further investigation identified additional unreported thefts from the same facility.
Ana Rios, who was employed as a housekeeper at the senior living facility, allegedly stole jewelry from the residents between May 2023 and February 2024, and handed the items to her husband to sell.
The stolen jewelry is estimated to have a street value of $45,000.
On Monday, April 8, 2024, the Rioses were arrested without incident at their home. Ana Rios faces charges of third-degree theft and conspiracy to commit theft, while Ezequiel Rios is charged with third-degree receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit theft.
Both were released pending a court hearing.
Authorities, including Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Roman, and Chief Mitzak, urge anyone with information related to the thefts to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Burglary Unit or the Bridgewater Township Police Department.