Home health aide in Port St. Lucie accused of stealing Purple Heart from veteran
Port St. Lucie, Fl (treasurecoast.com) -Detectives with the Port St. Lucie Police Department are looking for a home health aide who stole a veteran’s Purple Heart, then tried selling it at a local pawn shop.
Police say Vanessa Smith is accused of stealing property from four victims who were supposed to be receiving her services.
Port St Lucie Police Detectives have obtained warrants for the arrest of Vanessa Smith. Smith, a Home Health Aide is accused of stealing property belonging to 4 victims all of whom were supposed to be receiving services from Smith.
It all began to unravel for Smith when one of the victim’s received a credit card bill from JCPenny for charges that were not hers. According to the victim, Smith was hired through the VA to assist in the care of the victim’s husband, a military veteran. After she noticed the fraudulent charges, she found other items that were missing including her husband’s Purple Heart Medal, gold chain, and a “Semper FI” gold charm.
Detectives were able to recover most of the jewelry belonging to the victim at a local pawn store, however the Purple Heart Medal is unaccounted for. Smith did try and sell the Purple Heart Medal; however, the pawn store would not accept it. The Purple Heart is one of the most distinguished and respected medals awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
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“Sadly, since the theft of the purple heart, the victim has since passed away” stated Assistant Chief Richard Del Toro. “We are hopeful that Smith still has the Purple Heart in her possession so that we may return it to the victim’s family”.
Warrants for Smith include: (4) counts of giving false ownership or ID to a second hand dealer, (4) counts of dealing in stolen property, (4) counts of giving false information to a pawn broker, (3) counts of third degree grand theft.
