Woman Steals $14K from Bushkill Township Family, Police Say

Written by Jack Tobias

A 21-year-old woman who was given a place to stay more than two years ago by a Bushkill Township family stole almost $14,000 in family savings kept in a hidden box and has repaid only $3,500, court records say.

Victoria Maria Guzman – known to the family by being a son’s girlfriend -- sent an email on June 25, 2011 to the son’s mother, apologizing for her actions and promising “to repay everything back.”

But that hasn’t happened and so Guzman, who apparently has been living at 2833 Eagle Nest Lane in Upper Nazareth Township, was charged Saturday with theft by unlawful taking or disposition and receiving stolen property.

She was committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Township Det. Cpl. Donald Ackerman, who filed a criminal complaint against Guzman, got involved in the case in June 2011, after it was documented by fellow Cpl. David Marino.

According to the complaint:

The mother accused Guzman of stealing $13,886 in family savings from the family home on the 200 block of Ruth Road.

During the relationship between Guzman and the son, Guzman needed a place to stay and the family offered her a place – their home.

The mother told Ackerman she kept “excess cash hidden in a box that is or was secured inside the house.” She said the box contained $13,886 just a few days before she discovered “all the cash missing.”

The mother confronted family members about the missing money and at some point the son contacted Guzman and was able to recover $3,500 from her.

A meeting later was held with Guzman, the mother and the woman’s husband. Guzman admitted taking the money and promised to repay it.

She later sent the June 25 email in which she also promised to repay the money.

An arrest warrant was approved Nov. 2, 2011. The complaint does not list the circumstances under which Guzman was taken into custody.

Guzman was arraigned Saturday night by on-duty District Judge Robert Hawke of Lehigh Township.