Dog Sitter, Babysitter Stole $235K Worth Of Luxury Items From Basking Ridge Local: Police

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A dog sitter and babysitter for a Basking Ridge resident was arrested after police say she stole more than $235,000 worth of luxury designer purses, shoes, clothing items and jewelry from the victim, announced Bernards Township Police Chief Timothy King and Deputy Chief Michael Sweeney.

Teresa Soraluz, 64, of Dover, was charged with second-degree theft of movable property.

A Bernards Township resident reported a theft of luxury designer purses, shoes, clothing items, and jewelry in June and then again in August.

The Bernards Township victim suffered a loss exceeding $235,000 due to the stolen items, said King.

Detectives from the Bernards Township Detective Division and detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit were tasked with the investigation of this crime.

A four-month investigation by detectives from the Bernards Township police and Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit revealed Soraluz, a dog-sitter and babysitter for the victim, was actively taking the victim’s luxury items after working at the home of the victim, said King.

On Wednesday, police searched the home of Soraluz, her vehicle, and her person.

The search warrant revealed approximately 100 luxury purses, coats, shoes, and pieces of jewelry, with around 20 of those items, valued at around $150,000, belonging to the victim from Bernards Township, said King.

On Oct. 29, Soraluz was charged and lodged at the Somerset County jail pending a court appearance.

King and Sweeney thanked the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Morris County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT) for their help with this investigation.

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