Part-time Housekeeper Arrested

Pasadena Police arrested Lesly Rugama, 37 from Canoga Park for residential burglary charges. The District Attorney’s Office has filed several counts of burglary and is awaiting further information regarding additional victims.  The victims in these cases were unaware that their “missing” property was actually stolen by Rugama.

Rugama has used her employment as a part-time housekeeper over the past ten years to steal jewelry, iPods, gift cards, loose coins, purses, sunglasses and children’s electronic toys from several families in the Pasadena and Los Angeles area.

 Detectives searched Rugama’s Canoga Park home and recovered numerous items stolen by Rugama over the past years. Some of the items found have been returned to several victims; however, there are still many items yet to be identified and returned to their rightful owners.

“This is a case where Rugama gained the trust of those who employed her and then stole from them” said Police Chief Bernard Melekian. “We hope that by circulating this information more victims will come forward and recover their property.”

Police are asking anyone that has employed Rugama in a similar capacity or that may have any information regarding this investigation, to contact Detective Sergeant Marie Sell at (626) 744-3816 or Detective George Vidal at (626) 744-7108.