A Colorado dog walker hired through the popular Rover app is facing felony theft charges after allegedly stealing nearly $500,000 in jewelry from a client who trusted her to care for their home and pets.
At a Glance
- Azure Foster, a Colorado dog sitter hired through Rover, is accused of stealing nearly $500,000 in jewelry from a client’s home
- Police linked Foster to the theft through pawn shop records showing she had pawned approximately $30,000 worth of the stolen items
- Most of the stolen jewelry, including diamond necklaces and tennis bracelets, was melted down or sold, making it irrecoverable
- Foster, who had no prior felony record in Colorado and passed Rover’s background check, plans to plead not guilty
- Rover has removed Foster’s profile from their platform following the accusations
Trust Betrayed: How the Theft Unfolded
The victim initially hired Azure Foster through the Rover app for dog sitting services, later expanding her responsibilities to include watering plants when the homeowners were away. This trust provided Foster with regular access to the home, which police say she exploited over several months to systematically steal valuable jewelry without raising immediate suspicion. The homeowner discovered the theft months after it began, with investigators finding no signs of forced entry or unusual visitors to the property during the relevant timeframe.
“She dog sat for us a couple times and eventually we started using her just to come to the house and water the plants,” the victim told investigators.
Investigation and Evidence
Cherry Hills Village Police methodically traced the stolen items through local pawn shops, where they discovered Foster had sold approximately $30,000 worth of the jewelry. Records from these transactions included Foster’s fingerprints and photographs, providing crucial evidence linking her to the crime. When confronted with this evidence, Foster was arrested and charged with felony theft in May. Despite the significant evidence against her, court records indicate Foster intends to plead not guilty at her upcoming trial.
“She stole diamond necklaces, diamond tennis bracelets,” the victim reported.
Irreplaceable Losses
The impact of this theft extends beyond the monetary value of the jewelry. According to the victim, many of the stolen pieces held sentimental value and are irreplaceable. Investigators discovered that most of the pawned items had already been melted down or otherwise altered, making recovery impossible. This permanent loss compounds the emotional trauma for the victim, who had placed significant trust in Foster based partly on Rover’s vetting process and her lack of criminal history in Colorado.
Rover’s Response and Safety Recommendations
Following the accusations, Rover immediately removed Foster’s profile from their platform. Dave Rosenbaum, a representative for Rover, confirmed Foster’s suspension, stating, “They have not been able to offer care through Rover.” The company requires all sitters to pass enhanced background checks and maintains that such incidents are rare among their network of service providers, which has been used by over two million pet owners across 17 countries since launching in 2011.
“There’s always going to be people that might take advantage of an opportunity. Number one, start with a reputable company. But even then, when you are allowing people into your house you still must be mindful of your safety and security, so we recommend to everybody anytime you are inviting somebody in that you don’t know who they are, you have to do what you can to protect yourself and your valuables,” advised Cherry Hills Village Police Department Commander Brennan Lenininger.
Protecting Yourself When Using Home Service Providers
Law enforcement officials emphasize the importance of taking precautions when allowing strangers into your home. Commander Lenininger specifically warns against taking business relationships off official platforms, which can eliminate important protections. “Sometimes what we see is people that initially went through an app or a company to get these services, they pay through the service. (Then) they eventually bypass that and go directly through the person. We always advise against that, because you never know who you are dealing with,” he explained.
Experts recommend securing valuables in a safe, installing home security cameras, and maintaining all communications and payments through official service platforms that provide additional oversight and accountability. Foster’s case serves as a stark reminder that background checks, while important, cannot completely eliminate risk when inviting service providers into your home.
