A Miami Beach landlord is behind bars after allegedly stealing from one of her tenants in an incident that was caught on camera.
Valentina Zaeta, 34, was arrested Wednesday and charged with burglary and grand theft in the third degree, jail records showed.
According to police, officers responded to a Miami Beach apartment in reference to a stolen laptop. When police arrived, the victim told police that the victim’s roommate, a witness, saw the suspect, enter the apartment and steal the victim’s laptop and several other items.
The victim got home and noticed that her laptop, Louis Vuitton bag, Michael Kors wallet, a luggage bag, credit cards, social security card and $500 in cash were taken from the apartment.
The witness said he heard someone entering the apartment while he was in his room. A few minutes later, he heard the door slam. When he looked out the window, he saw the landlord holding something against her chest, but couldn’t figure out what it was.
The witness told police that when he entered the victim’s bedroom, he noticed that her laptop was gone and immediately called her.
Surveillance video showed Zaeta and another woman entering the apartment using a key, police said.
When police arrived to obtain the surveillance video, the suspect called the victim and said she was in possession of the victim’s belongings and would return the items in exchange for cash.
Police then showed up to the suspect’s job and arrested her.
Local
Zaeta, who is from Italy and has been in South Florida for less than a year, was being held on $17,500 bond Thursday, records showed. Attorney information wasn't available.
Shane Molinaro, who owns Miami Massage Therapy next door to the apartment, owns the cameras that caught the incident.
"It's always a violation when somebody comes into your house and takes your property," Molinaro said.
