Mom Accused of Using Her Kids to Rob Neighbor, Only to Put Stolen Items in Complex’s Common Area

A Florida woman is in custody after allegedly using her two children to burglarize a neighbor’s apartment, only to leave the stolen items in a common area of the apartment complex.

Nicole Bottiglieri-Vega was arrested on Friday, October 30, and charged with third-degree grand theft, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, criminal mischief and resisting arrest without violence, according to court records viewed by Globe.

The incident started when a husband and wife returned home from work to find their apartment had been burglarized with several items missing, according to Local 10. They quickly discovered the items had been brought to a rear common area of the building that leads to the street and parking lot. They witnessed Bottiglieri-Vega, 42, in the area but did not know she was involved.

It wasn’t until the building manager checked the security footage that investigators saw Bottiglieri-Vega, accompanied by her two children, leaving their apartment, which they moved into just two weeks prior, and forcing their way through the rear door of the alleged victims’ home.

Per the outlet, Bottiglieri-Vega began removing furniture and other belongings with one of the two children helping. Police determined the door, lock and much of the furniture had been damaged by her actions.

When they approached her apartment, she refused to come outside. Witnesses who live in the complex reportedly told the police they’d witnessed Bottiglieri-Vega smoking crack cocaine and discarding her paraphernalia near her apartment.

Fearing for the children’s safety, police returned later that day to assist the Florida Department of Children and Families investigators who arrived as well. They failed to make contact with her again. The following day, police and DCF investigators returned again for a follow-up. This time, police saw blood near the door and heard screaming inside the residence and forced their way in.

They reportedly found Bottiglieri-Vega in a bedroom, but she refused to comply with commands and pulled her hands away when officers tried to place handcuffs on her. Eventually, she was taken into custody and brought to the Miami Police Department’s North Station. While there, Local 10 reports she briefly slipped out of her cuffs and attempted to escape, but was quickly stopped and placed back in handcuffs.

According to court records viewed by Globe, Bottiglieri-Vega is currently being held on $11,650 bond. She has pleaded not guilty.