CAPE CORAL, FL — A Cape Coral housekeeper was arrested on October 16, 2026, following an investigation into the theft of approximately $25,000 in jewelry, cash, and other personal property from a residence she was hired to clean.
On Friday, September 11, 2026, officers responded to a reported theft at a residence in Southwest Cape Coral.
The victim reported that numerous pieces of jewelry, personal property, and cash had been stolen from the residence. The victim advised that Sherry Lee Maldonado (DOB: 05/05/1970) had previously been employed as a housekeeper.
The victim reported observing personal property inside the residence on two separate occasions before Maldonado performed housekeeping duties, only to discover the items missing after she departed. The victim subsequently discovered additional jewelry and money missing. The specifically identified stolen property was valued at approximately $25,000. The victim also provided photographs of the stolen jewelry.
A detective with the Cape Coral Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit assumed the investigation. Investigators determined that Maldonado conducted 21 separate pawn transactions on 18 different dates between April 3, 2025, and August 18, 2026, at four pawn shops in Cape Coral and Fort Myers. Through these transactions, she received more than $30,000 from pawning the stolen jewelry.
Based on the investigation, Maldonado was arrested on October 16, 2026, and transported to the Lee County Jail on the following charges:
- One count of Grand Theft, $20,000 or More but Less Than $100,000, F.S. 812.014(2)(b)(1), a second-degree felony.
- 16 counts of Dealing in Stolen Property, F.S. 812.019(1), a second-degree felony.
The Cape Coral Police Department reminds residents to take precautions when hiring individuals to work inside their homes. Whenever possible, verify that a cleaning service or individual cleaner is properly licensed, check reviews, and seek recommendations from trusted sources before allowing someone into your residence.
Some of the jewelry items Maldonado stole from the victim.