MILL VALLEY, Calif. — A Novato interior designer arrested Wednesday is accused of stealing jewelry and gift cards from clients’ Strawberry homes, according to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said the victim reported the theft on Oct. 10 and told investigators more than $80,000 in jewelry and multiple gift cards were stolen over a five-month period. The sheriff’s office said the woman turned to designer and home organizer Cezary Venema after she noticed the items were missing.
The victim admitted to investigators that Benema, 43, spent thousands of dollars on one gift card and took another card worth $200, but he initially said he had not taken the jewelry. He said he was in denial.
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Detectives executed a search warrant on the suspect’s home and vehicle in Novato Wednesday morning. The search turned up jewelry, gift cards, and other items that appeared to have been purchased with gift cards, the sheriff’s office said.
During questioning, Benema admitted to taking the items from the victim, detectives said, and was booked into jail on suspicion of possession of stolen property, robbery, grand theft and embezzlement of more than $400. Venema immediately posted bail at $50,000, according to the sheriff’s office.
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Detectives believe Benema worked as an interior designer for other clients in Marin County and are asking any additional potential victims to contact investigators via email.
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