A disturbing case has emerged in Colorado where a dog sitter, Azure Foster, is accused of stealing nearly half a million dollars’ worth of jewelry from the home she was entrusted to care for. The jewelry owner, who wishes to remain anonymous for safety reasons, shared her shock with CBS Colorado after discovering that several valuable pieces had gone missing over time.
The Theft Unfolds Slowly
According to the woman, she didn’t notice anything suspicious at first. There were no break-ins, no unusual people seen around the house, and everything appeared normal. However, over the course of months, she started to realize that her precious jewelry collection was disappearing bit by bit. The stolen items included diamond necklaces and tennis bracelets, among others.
“She stole diamond necklaces, diamond tennis bracelets,” the woman told CBS Colorado. It wasn’t until much later that she would understand that a trusted person in her life was behind the theft.
The Dog Sitter and Her Connection to the Owner
Azure Foster was initially hired to dog-sit for the woman, a service arranged through a popular pet app called Rover. Over time, Foster also began helping with tasks such as watering the plants.
The app, Rover, claims that all sitters undergo a thorough vetting process, including an enhanced background check, which includes checks on federal, state, and county databases.
Despite this vetting process, a background check by CBS Colorado revealed that Foster did not have any felony convictions in Colorado. However, further investigation by the police led them to Foster as the suspect.
The detectives tracked pawn shop transaction records, which included fingerprints and photos. It was discovered that over several months, Foster allegedly pawned stolen jewelry worth around $30,000.
The Arrest and Charges
Foster was arrested in May by Cherry Hills Village police and charged with felony theft. Authorities noted that while it’s rare for such incidents to occur, it’s important for people to be vigilant about their safety and the security of their homes, especially when hiring people they don’t know personally.
Cherry Hills Village Police Department Commander Brennan Lenininger advised residents to always use reputable services, keep payments and communications within the platform, and avoid bypassing the app to deal directly with the person providing services.
Stolen Jewelry Cannot Be Recovered
According to arrest paperwork, nearly all of the stolen jewelry was melted down or sold, making it impossible to recover or reproduce the items. This left the victim devastated, as the irreplaceable jewelry could never be returned.
Foster appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on June 11, though the hearing was continued. She is scheduled to return to court in July to face the charges. Foster, when contacted by CBS Colorado, stated that she plans to hire an attorney and plead not guilty to the charges.
The Response from Rover
A spokesperson from Rover addressed the incident, emphasizing that what happened in this case is extremely rare. The company highlighted that more than a million services have been booked through the platform, with the vast majority receiving positive reviews. Still, the case has raised concerns about the security of trusting strangers in one’s home, even when they are vetted by reputable companies.
The case of Azure Foster serves as a reminder of the importance of being cautious when allowing others into your home, even when they come highly recommended. While services like Rover can provide vetting, incidents like this highlight the potential risks involved. As the legal process unfolds, the victim is left to cope with the loss of her valuable, irreplaceable jewelry.