Woman allegedly scares girl into stealing $10,000 in jewelry

A Palmdale woman who held psychic readings with a 12-year-old girl and told her she could see the child's future has been arrested on suspicion of scaring the girl into stealing $10,000 worth of jewelry, authorities said Thursday night.

Jackeline Lopez allegedly held the psychic sessions in her garage, which was decorated with candles, chalk outlines, black cauldrons and human skull replicas, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.

During a session, Lopez allegedly told the girl she was "cursed" and that "horrible things" would happen to her and her family, the department said in a statement. Lopez said the curse could be lifted by paying a fee.

As a result, the girl was scared into stealing more than $10,000 worth of family jewelry, authorities said.

Lopez was arrested on suspicion of extortion, and authorities are seeking possible additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at (661) 272-2477.  Anonymous tips can be left at (800) 222-8477.

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--Andrew Blankstein (twitter.com/anblanx) and Robert J. Lopez (twitter.com/LAJourno)

Photo: Garage where authorities say psychic readings were held. Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department