A cleaner employed at a retirement village on Sydney’s northern beaches has been convicted of pawning valuable jewellery stolen from elderly residents, breaching their trust in a particularly egregious manner.
Veronica Cerna, 44, who began working at the Pittwater Palms retirement village in Avalon Beach in late 2022, misused her access to residents’ homes by using a master key to steal high-end jewellery. Cerna then pawned the stolen items for a fraction of their worth at various pawn shops across Sydney.
Among the items taken was a gold and sapphire pendant valued at $50,000, for which Cerna received a mere $400. Another pendant, worth $30,000, was pawned for just $500. In total, Cerna pawned 20 items, including gold necklaces, bracelets, and rings, many of which held significant sentimental value for their elderly owners.
The total value of the jewellery was estimated at nearly $120,000, while Cerna received just $6,510 for the stolen goods.
The thefts occurred between November 2023 and June 2024, with eight residents reporting missing jewellery. The victims, aged up to 94, were all residents of units or serviced apartments cleaned by Cerna.
The court heard that Cerna falsely claimed ownership of the items when visiting pawn shops in Marrickville, Ashfield, Merrylands, and Blacktown.
According to a police statement, “The victims are elderly and vulnerable, and many of the items pawned are of great sentimental value to the victim and their family.”
Magistrate Daniel Reiss, presiding over the case at Manly Local Court, described the offences as “disgraceful” and a “brazen breach of trust.” He noted that retirement village residents should feel safe and secure in their homes.
Cerna’s Legal Aid solicitor explained that the thefts were driven by financial desperation. Facing overdue rent and mounting utility bills, Cerna “panicked in the circumstances and couldn’t see a way out.”
Despite the recovery of some items, a number had already been sold or melted down by the pawn shops, leaving some victims without their cherished possessions.
Cerna pleaded guilty to 20 charges of furnishing false or misleading information and one charge of dealing with the proceeds of crime. She was fined $200 for each false statement and sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment, to be served in the community under supervision. She was also ordered to complete 50 hours of community service.
This incident has raised concerns about safeguarding vulnerable residents in aged care settings. While Cerna’s financial struggles offer some explanation for her actions, the breach of trust and impact on her elderly victims cannot be overstated.
The management at Pittwater Palms has since assured residents and families that additional measures are being taken to ensure the security of residents’ belongings and to prevent future incidents.
