BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — A Morris County woman has been charged with allegedly stealing more than $235,000 worth of luxury items from a Bernards Township home where she worked as a dog-sitter and babysitter, authorities said.
Bernards Township Police Chief Timothy King and Deputy Chief Michael Sweeney, along with Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald and Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., announced the arrest of Teresa Soraluz, 64, of Dover, on charges of theft of movable property.
According to authorities, a Bernards Township resident reported in June 2025 that several luxury designer purses, shoes, clothing items and pieces of jewelry had been stolen. The same resident reported additional thefts of similar high-end items in August, bringing total losses to more than $235,000.
Detectives from the Bernards Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Computer Crimes Unit launched a four-month investigation that identified Soraluz as a suspect. Investigators determined that she had been taking items from the victim’s home after working there in her capacity as a dog-sitter and babysitter.
On Oct. 29, 2025, authorities executed a search warrant at Soraluz’s home, vehicle and person. Investigators recovered about 100 luxury purses, coats, shoes and pieces of jewelry, including approximately 20 items valued at around $150,000 that were identified as belonging to the victim.
That same day, Soraluz was charged by Bernards Township detectives with second-degree theft of movable property and was lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a court appearance.
Chief King and Deputy Chief Sweeney thanked the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the Morris County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team for their assistance with the investigation.
