Police: Ex-employee stole from Hoffman Estates nursing home residents

A former employee at Alden Poplar Creek nursing home in Hoffman Estates was ordered held on $30,000 bail Wednesday after authorities say she stole an engagement and wedding ring belonging to an 83-year-old resident who suffers from dementia.

Bria Abrams, 21, of the 1900 block of Cobblestone Drive in Carpentersville, was charged with theft, a class 3 felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Probation is also an option.

Allegations surfaced Jan. 24, after the daughter of the woman reported her mother's wedding jewelry was missing, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Anisa Jordan.

Through his investigation, a Hoffman Estates detective learned that Abrams, a former nursing assistant, had recently pawned wedding jewelry — valued at about $4,200 — in Carpentersville, Jordan said.

A photograph of the woman's jewelry matched that of the pawned items, Jordan said.

Hoffman Estates police said they linked Abrams to four other thefts from elderly residents at the facility. They say Abrams, whose background includes theft convictions from 2014 and 2012, took jewelry, electronics and credit card information.

The only charge pending against Abrams is the one involving the 83-year-old woman, Jordan said.

In a statement to police, Abrams admitted involvement in the theft, which she said was “due to financial hardship,” Jordan said.

Abrams next appears in court on April 20.