A woman is wanted by authorities for allegedly stealing thousands.
On April 27, 2019, the Merced Police Department began to investigate multiple cases where victims had money fraudulently taken from them.
Victims reported that they had responded to radio ads where an unknown Hispanic female was officering healing and counseling.
The victims reported meeting this female at various locations in Merced.
During the healing or counseling sessions, the unknown female would tell the victims that she had the ability to bless money and jewelry. Multiple victims left money and jewelry with the unknown female only to never see her again.
Victims reported that the female stated she would bless the money overnight and return it to them in double.
In total, victims in Merced lost over $80,000.00 in cash and $30,000.00 in jewelry.
Merced Police Detective Jeremy Salyers worked for several months in attempt to identify the female, however he was unsuccessful. Recently, Detective Salyers learned of a similar case in northern California. Using this information, Detective Salyers was able to identify the suspect in the Merced thefts as Perlita Afanacio Ballester.
Ballester’s whereabouts are currently unknown and she is wanted on multiple felony related charges for her crimes in Merced.
Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this crime or the suspect’s location to contact Detective Jeremy Salyers at (209) 388-7771 or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at (209) 385-4725.
