In-Home Care Attendant Charged in Theft From Patient

Officers have made an arrest after an investigation determined that a New Britain resident used her position as an in-home care provider in order to steal a small amount of money on two different occasions near the end of 2011.

Police said Raquel Lantiguadelora, of 407 Myrtle St. in New Britain, was working under an alias for M.R. Home Care when she took $20 from one of her patients on two different occasions in November and December after gaining access to her debit card in order to make grocery purchases.

Lantiguadelora, 44, turned herself into police on Monday and was booked on two counts of sixth-degree larceny. She was released after posting a $5,000 bond according to police.

Sgt. Lowell DePalma said officers were asked by the patient, whose name was not released Wednesday, to investigate unauthorized charges earlier this month after she reviewed her bank statement and discovered two $20 withdrawals made from the on North Main Street.

Detectives learned from the victim that she had given her ATM debit card to Lantiguadelora on Nov. 29, 2011, and Dec. 6, 2011, so that Lantiguadelora could purchase groceries and withdraw $20 from the ATM at Stop and Shop.

Police said an investigation revealed that on both days, Lantiguadelora used the ATM card a second time in order to withdraw an additional $20, which she kept for herself.

During the investigation, DePalma said detectives spoke with M.R. Home Care administrators and learned that Lantiguadelora was working under the name Raquel Lantigua. The name is an alias, police said, and she has since been terminated.

Lantiguadelora is due for arraignment in Bristol Superior Court on Jan. 23.