Mirian Martinez - Fairfax County, Virginia

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. -- A cleaning lady from Alexandria has been accused of stealing jewelry and clothes -- including a diamond ring worth $42,000 -- from her long-time clients.

Mirian Martinez, 47, cleaned homes under the company name Mirian Cleaning Services in Alexandria. Police said she has stolen items worth at least $65,000 from her clients.

Investigators obtained a four-page list of items Martinez brought to an Arlington pawn shop in the last two years. Authorities said all of the items on the list were stolen. The roughly 200 items include gold necklaces, hoops earrings, platinum wedding bands, personalized jewelry and the most valuable item of all: a diamond ring worth $42,000.

"The victim is desperately seeking that ring," said Fairfax County police Officer Camille Neville.

Arlington, Loudoun and Fairfax police have been working on the case together since July.

"Most people hire their employees by word of mouth in that if you have a woman who cleans your house that you get along with, that you trust, you're going to tell your friends about her," said Detective Crystal Nosal of the Arlington County Police Department.

"In this case, that appears to be what happened. Ms. Martinez was hired by many different households because the owners of those houses were friends," Nosal said.

Fairfax County police said Martinez stole jewelry from a 51-year-old Alexandria-area woman. Two more of Martinez's clients, a 51-year-old Fairfax woman and a 38-year-old Fairfax Station woman, also reported missing jewelry and clothing.

Martinez has been charged in Fairfax County with grand larceny and selling stolen property. More charges are pending, police said.

Martinez was also charged Tuesday in Loudoun County in connection with jewelry thefts from a home on Gazelle Court in South Riding. She was charged with grand larceny, obtaining money by false pretenses and larceny with intent to sell and distribute.

Jack Kelege - Fairfax County, Virginia

She is being held at the Loudoun County Detention Center on $100,000 bond.

Police said people who have hired Martinez should take an inventory of their items to see if anything is missing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact authorities. Loudoun County residents can contact investigators by phone at 703-777-0475. Fairfax County residents can contact Crime Solvers by phone at 866-411-TIPS/8477 or e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org. Tipsters can also text “TIP187” plus a message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County police at 703-691-2131.

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