Home organizer accused of stealing valuable jewelry from clients in South Orange County

A home organizer is facing theft charges after authorities alleged she stole valuable jewelry from the homes of South Orange County clients.

Erin Aaberg, 41, of Aliso Viejo was arrested Thursday and charged with felony grand theft and misdemeanor petty theft for stealing jewelry worth thousands of dollars from two homes and gift cards from a third residence, according to an Orange County Sheriff’s Department statement.

In April 2018, a client who had hired Aaberg as a home organizer realized that someone had stolen a diamond bracelet and gold pendant, worth more than $11,000, from their home, according to the sheriff’s statement. They didn’t immediately know who had taken the jewelry, since the home recently had been renovated and numerous contractors would have had access.

Through a Facebook page, the client learned that Aaberg had been accused by others of stealing while working for them, according to the sheriff’s. Investigators were informed of the allegations on Facebook, the sheriff’s said, and a detective recovered a gold pendant that Aaberg was suspected of stealing from the home and selling at a Mission Viejo jewelry store.

Through Facebook, the investigators contacted another person who alleged that a ring had been stolen while Aaberg was working at their home, and was returned by Aaberg when she learned there was reward money for the missing jewelry, according to the sheriff’s statement. A third person told investigators that he caught Aaberg on surveillance video taking numerous gift cards, which she returned when confronted, the sheriff’s said.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact detectives at 949-206-6191.