BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Bridgewater Township Police Chief John B. Mitzak have 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 began in January 2024 when Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office detectives from the Burglary Unit looked into jewelry being sold for cash in the county. With assistance from Bridgewater Township Police, detectives traced two pieces of jewelry sold in August 2023 and February 2024 back to thefts reported by residents of the senior living facility.
Further investigations revealed that Ana Rios, employed as a housekeeper at the facility, allegedly stole the jewelry between May 2023 and February 2024. The stolen items, which she handed over to her husband to sell, are estimated to have a street value of $45,000.
On Monday, April 8, 2024, both Ana and Ezequiel Rios were arrested without incident. Ana Rios faces charges of 3rd degree Theft and 3rd degree Conspiracy to Commit Theft, while Ezequiel Rios is charged with 3rd degree Receiving Stolen Property and 3rd degree Conspiracy to Commit Theft. Both have been released pending a court hearing.