Óscar Germán Muñoz, 61, and Martha Cecilia Molano, 57, were arrested in Coral Springs and are facing charges of burglary and grand theft, linked to an incident that occurred in July 2022. However, detectives from the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) believe that the couple may be connected to dozens of similar burglaries in other homes in Broward County and possibly also in Palm Beach.
The investigation began in April, when a couple of elderly residents from the Yardley community in Tamarac reported the disappearance of valuable items from their home. The surveillance cameras captured Muñoz and Molano waiting for the victims to leave, then entering with cleaning supplies and exiting minutes later.
On May 5th, agents executed a search warrant at the suspects' residence in Coral Springs, where they found hundreds of stolen items, including necklaces, rings, watches, earrings, coins, gems, and cash. According to authorities, some of the loot was sold at pawn shops and the money was used to fund luxury international trips.
"They had legitimate clients and, based on word of mouth and the extremely low prices of their services, they began to see how many houses they could enter and then perhaps they saw the opportunity," stated Detective Sophie Riggs from the BSO.
Researchers argue that the couple gained the trust of elderly or wealthy victims under the pretext of offering affordable and supposedly reliable domestic services. The observed pattern suggests that they strategically selected households in order to later steal high-value belongings.
Both suspects appeared before a bail court in Broward County on Wednesday. Muñoz was granted a bail of $10,000 and was ordered not to contact the victims. His lawyer noted that he has no criminal record and owns a home in the area. Molano, who required a Spanish interpreter during the hearing, received a total bail of $20,000—$10,000 for each charge—along with a restraining order.
The charges of grand theft in this case involve property valued between $750 and $5,000. The investigation remains ongoing, and further arrests or additional charges cannot be ruled out.
Warning to the community
The BSO has called on anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this scheme to contact Detective Danny Polo at 954-720-2225 and come forward to identify the recovered items. Some of the material found was shown publicly to assist in this effort, according to reported Local 10 News.
In addition, the authorities have issued a warning to residents about the safe hiring of domestic services, recommending:
- Verify that the company has a license and insurance.
- Check online reviews.
- Request references.
- Compare prices before hiring.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jewelry and Money Thefts in South Florida
Who are the main suspects in the thefts at elderly homes in Florida?
Óscar Germán Muñoz and Martha Cecilia Molano are the main suspects, accused of stealing jewelry and money from elderly homeowners in South Florida.
How did the suspected couple operate their thefts in Florida?
The couple gained the victims' trust by offering affordable domestic services and then took advantage of this to steal high-value jewelry and money from their homes.
What did the authorities discover when they searched the suspects' residence?
Upon registering the residence, authorities found hundreds of stolen items, including jewelry and cash, some of which had been sold at pawn shops.
What measures are the authorities taking to prevent similar thefts in the future?
Authorities have issued warnings about the safe hiring of domestic services, recommending that individuals verify licenses, insurance, and check references and prices before hiring.
Filed under:
