Police Seek Lakewood 'Witch Doctor,' Her Husband

Police are still searching for the woman who allegedly stole nearly $140,000 from clients and her husband, but now they say they don’t know their real identities, said Lt. Heidi Hoffman of the Lakewood Police Department.

The woman known as “Señora Monica” scammed people all over the Puget Sound area into handing over large sums of cash so she could bless the money and cleanse it of evil, Hoffman said.

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She had collected approximately $140,000 worth of cash from the victim’s and was going to perform the final “cleanse” and then return their money minus her fees on Sunday, Hoffman said. Nearly 15 people were waiting outside her Lakewood business called "Centro de Consultas Espirituales" on Sunday to collect their money, but when the woman never showed up they called police.

The photo is of her husband who went by the name of Jose Fernandez, but police discovered the California identification he presented is false.

Hoffman said most victims heard of Monica through commercials on Spanish language radio stations. Jose Diaz with La Gran D radio in Auburn said she ran ads on the station recently. Diaz said he found out about the theft allegations when he was contacted by investigators.

Police are searching for the couple. Their vehicles are described as a white Chevrolet Suburban with California license plates and a gray Honda Civic style vehicle with an unknown plate. They are believed to have three boys with them ranging in age from 3 to 15 years old.

Anyone who knows the couple and their real identities should call the Lakewood Police Department at 253-830-5000.

Previous Stories: August 12, 2009: Police: 'Witch Doctor' Claiming To Cleanse Money, Scammed Clients