POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Mulberry woman’s discovery of a missing $2,500 white gold ring has led to a third arrest for 31-year-old Ashley Hernandez, a local cleaning business owner accused of using her job to scout and steal jewelry.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office issued the latest warrant after the victim saw a Facebook post detailing Hernandez’s previous arrest and realized her own valuables were missing from a dish next to her bathroom sink.
The victim had hired Hernandez to clean her home on three separate dates: January 26, February 13, and February 23. Following a search of her property, she contacted detectives on February 24.
Investigators later tracked the stolen ring to Quick Cash Liquidators, where Hernandez had allegedly conducted 12 different fraudulent pawn transactions. A pawn receipt dated January 28 featured Hernandez’s signature, identification, and a right thumbprint.
READ: Senior Citizens Swindled Out Of Gold Bars And Cash In Massive Multi-State Fraud Scheme
Hernandez was taken back into custody on March 2, 2026, facing a fresh set of felony charges including dealing in stolen property, providing false owner information to a pawnbroker, a scheme to defraud, and grand theft.
This marks her third trip to jail since February 18. Her legal troubles span multiple counties; she was previously picked up on February 26 for a grand theft warrant out of Hillsborough County, where charges remain pending.
The timeline of the alleged thefts has raised eyebrows among local law enforcement. According to records, Hernandez was arrested on February 18 for stealing from an elderly client, posted bond on February 21, and returned to the Mulberry victim’s home for a third cleaning session just two days later on February 23.
Sheriff Grady Judd expressed concern that more homeowners may have been targeted by the business owner, who frequently advertised her services online.
“We would be willing to bet there are more victims out there,” Sheriff Judd stated. “In fact, we arrested her on the 18th of February, she bonded out of jail on the 21st, and cleaned this new victim’s home for a third time on the 23rd. If Ashley cleaned your home, she may have cleaned you out. Please check your valuables and contact us if you suspect she did the same to you.”
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