Hernando County Sheriff’s detectives met with Beth Stocke at the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.
Ms. Stocke reported to detectives that she was assigned a home health care worker to help care for her mother through Mid-Florida Federal, a program from Candid Care. Ms. Stock advised the health care worker that came to care for her mother identified herself as “Shay Pizarro” and provided a copy of a Florida driver’s license as proof of identification. The name on the driver’s license was “Sheila Mari Pizarro” with an address in Spring Hill.
Pizarro began providing home health care services for Stocke’s mother on or about 11-07-16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Soon after Pizarro began providing health care services, Beth Stocke noticed that her Discover card was missing. Ms. Stocke checked with the bank to learn that some unauthorized purchases had been made with the card. Ms. Stocke then checked her residence to discover several pieces of jewelry were missing from her own bedroom and her mother’s bedroom.
Using the information that was originally provided to Ms. Stocke, detectives attempted to ascertain an identity on the suspect. Investigation revealed that the “copy” of the Florida driver’s license that she provided was fictitious, being a combination of her own information and that of a relative.
Utilizing law enforcement resources, detectives located information on the identity of the suspect, Tonya Lee Pizarro W/F DOB/01-15-1968. Further investigation revealed that Tonya Pizarro had three recent pawn transactions at a local pawn shop. The clerk that completed the pawn transactions knew Pizarro from previous encounters and was able to positively identify her.
A computer check showed Pizarro currently on Felony probation for Credit Card Fraud.
Detectives responded to Probation and Parole to meet with Pizarro during her regularly scheduled meeting with her probation officer. Post Miranda, Pizarro first denied taking and selling any of the jewelry. Pizarro then changed her story, advising she took the jewelry on 11-11-16 and pawned it over a period of several days. She told detectives she does not make a lot of money and needs money to take care of herself and her child.
Pizarro further stated that she utilized the name Sheila Mari Pizarro to get the job with the home health care agency, due to her criminal past, and being unable to get a job.
Detective Richard Purchase made telephone contact with Candid Care. He explained the entire situation to the representative, who was extremely concerned and confused as to how “Sheila Mari Pizarro” was approved for employment through their background check process. Additionally, Candid Care was making arrangements to purchase the victim’s jewelry back from the pawn shop.
Tonya Lee Pizarro W/F DOB/01-15-1968 was placed under arrest, charged as follows:
* Grand Theft
* Dealing in Stolen Property/Defrauding a Pawn Broker
o Bond – $14,000
* VOP Credit Card Fraud
o No Bond.
Pizarro remains in the Hernando County Detention Center.