House Sitters Allegedly Steal $22,000 Worth of Property while Owner is Away
Photo: Violet F. Bloomfield and Casey Diehl
SAN RAFAEL — Violet F. Bloomfield and Casey Diehl already had impressive rap sheets before they took a house sitting job. This time Bloomfield and Diehl were arrested for cleaning out someone’s home.
They allegedly stole $22,000 worth of property from a couple in San Rafael, who hired a house sitter. However, the original house sitter left and turned the job over to Bloomfield and Diehl.
The couple returned and reported the thefts. Investigators confirmed that the original house sitter left because of a family emergency. Suspicion immediately fell upon 38-year-old Bloomfield and 46-year-old Diehl, who are quite familiar to law enforcement.
Bloomfield was previously arrested 19 times for burglaries, drugs, forgery, and vehicle thefts, among other offenses. Diehl has nine prior arrests on his record for drugs and vehicle thefts, among other offenses.
On February 5, San Rafael officers searched a residence on Arcadia Lane where Bloomfield and Diehl normally live. Several residents, including Bloomfield cooperated and voluntarily came out of the house.
For a while, Diehl was nowhere to be found. In fact, officers called for him to come outside a total of 27 times. After nearly 10 minutes, with assistance from Novato police, Diehl was located hiding inside a bedroom.
Bloomfield and Diehl were booked into Marin County Jail. Bloomfield faces charges for grand theft and identity theft. Diehl presently faces charges for receiving stolen property and resisting an officer.
This investigation remains open. Bloomfield and Diehl are suspected of committing more crimes while doing odd jobs for unwitting victims. Anyone who recently hired them can call San Rafael police detective Kevin MacDougald at 415-485-3024.
