Two housekeepers charged with stealing from homeowners

Two women accused of stealing over $20,000 worth of jewelry from people whose houses they cleaned were indicted by the May grand jury, officials said.

Amy Renee Fretwell, 24, 100 Fox Ridge Apartments, Russellville, was indicted for first-degree receiving stolen property and first-degree theft of property.

Lisa Neal Winstead, 42, 28 Twin Lake Dr., Russellville, was indicted for third-degree burglary and first-degree theft of property.

According to Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett, police received a report from the victim on Dec. 10, 2011, stating she had discovered near $20,000 worth of jewelry was missing from her home.

Hargett said she identified two ladies who cleaned her home and said they were the only ones she knew that had access to the jewelry.

During the course of the investigation, Hargett said Fretwell confessed to taking at least one item from the victim’s home and implicated Winstead in the other thefts.

Hargett said officers obtained a search warrant for a residence connected to both of the women where many pieces of jewelry were found, some of which were identified by the victim.

Hargett said other victims who also had their homes cleaned by Winstead and Fretwell came forward during the investigation and reported jewelry missing from their homes as well.

Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said both cases would be set for arraignment in June 28.

The cases will be placed on the August criminal trial docket, he said.

Both women are out of jail on bond.