Serial conwoman Ariana Rose, 40, was found to have amassed a hoard of stolen goods worth £67,000, including World War One medals and a CBE, after being arrested in a Warwickshire car park. Body-cam footage released by Warwickshire Police shows officers approaching Rose as she sat in her car, with the scammer visibly shaken and saying "OK, OK" as she was informed she was under arrest.
Fraudulent schemes and lavish lifestyle
Southwark Crown Court heard that Rose, described as a "magpie-like" thief, used a string of fraudulent schemes to scam wealthy victims, including posing as a house-sitter and a landlady at two properties in Shipston-on-Stour and Southam, Warwickshire. She used her ill-gotten gains to fund a lavish lifestyle, spending money on holidays abroad, luxurious food like lobster and champagne at Claridge's, designer clothes, and a Rolex watch. She also drove around in rented BMWs.
Rose pleaded guilty to five charges of theft, four fraud offences, four of forgery, and one of perverting the course of justice. She was found guilty of five counts of theft from dwelling in December last year and jailed on July 2 for five years.
Stolen items discovered at property
Additional videos captured the moment officers discovered stolen war medals, a CBE, Christmas ornaments, limited-edition books, and jewellery while searching her property. One officer reacting to the eclectic haul could be heard saying: "Oh my God, you're joking." Items taken from both properties included jewellery exceeding £35,000, a Le Creuset Balti pan, and a silver dish.
The court heard that Rose went to great lengths to trick her victims, even preparing a meal and a cake for one victim when they returned from holiday. The victims later discovered a number of items missing, with some replaced by fakes. When Rose was arrested, officers found photos of stolen items from each of the houses she had looked after on her phone.
Police statement on the case
Detective Constable Adam Stather, of Warwickshire Police, said after the case: "Rose lived a lavish lifestyle, funded by the things she stole from her victims who trusted her to look after their homes. These items were mostly highly sentimental and cherished. We hope that the victims find some comfort now that she has been caught and held accountable for her actions."
