A Marin County Sheriff’s Patrol Deputy was called to the Strawberry Area of Mill Valley last Thursday to investigate a reported theft. A local homeowner claimed that an interior designer, Cesalee Venema, whom she had hired, was responsible for the disappearance of over $80,000 in jewelry and gift cards over five months. Confronted by the victim, Venema admitted using a $5,000 gift card and taking another valued at $200 but denied stealing any jewelry, as detailed in a recent press release by the Marin County Sheriff's Office.
Following the allegations, detectives secured a warrant to search Venema’s house in Novato and her vehicle. Yesterday morning's search unearthed stolen jewelry, additional gift cards belonging to the victim, and items purchased with the stolen cards. Found in Venema’s possession, the pilfered properties could represent a larger pattern of theft. In a statement to detectives, Venema confessed to taking the items.
Venema was charged with possession of stolen property, burglary, embezzlement of over $400, and grand theft. She was booked into the Marin County jail. However, her stay was short-lived, as she was released on a $50,000 bond shortly after being booked.
The Marin County Sheriff’s Office, suspecting that there might be additional victims, has issued a call to action. Having worked for other residents in Marin County as an interior designer, Venema might have left a trail of similar offenses in her wake. Information on contacting Detective Hickey is available on the Marin County Sheriff's Office website for those who feel they might have been preyed upon by their decorator. Detective Hickey can be reached at [email protected] if anyone suspects they may be a victim.
