Police arrested the 56-year-old housemaid of Quezon City councilor and television actor Alfred Vargas while about to flee with the actor’s safety vault on board a taxi a few blocks away from the latter’s house in Quezon City on Thursday night.

The suspect, identified as Clarita Mahinay, a native of Leyte and stay-in helper, was detained at the Quezon City Police District Station 6.

Senior Insp. Roberto Razon, chief of the Investigation Section of Quezon City Police District’s (QCPD) Station 6, said Mahinay, who has been working as a maid for Vargas for three months now, faces charges of qualified theft.

Razon said Mahinay admitted to her crime as she explained that her family has been experiencing financial trouble back in her hometown.

The maid only told police that she only wanted to buy her son a tricycle in order for her family to earn money, he said.

Razon said the maid made the admission after she claimed that a suspected member of the “Dugo-Dugo” gang had convinced her to get the small vault from the house of Vargas on T. Victoriano St., Don Antonio Heights, Bgy.  Holy Spirit.

The police official learned that the vault contained land titles, pieces of jewelry and money.

Initially, the maid who was alone at the house claimed that a person called up at around 11 a.m. saying that Vargas was involved in a vehicular accident and was in need of money.

However, Razon became suspicious since the maid checked with Vargas himself before she took out the vault at 6 p.m.

Razon said Vargas’ personal assistant, Helen Lagaras, had just arrived and chanced upon the maid boarding a taxi with the vault.

Guards posted at the subdivision’s gate was able to hold the taxi and police later arrived to arrest the maid.