Man posed as elderly woman’s friend to steal property, police say

Suspect allegedly drained her bank accounts, stole jewelry and vehicles, tried to sell home

SAN CARLOS >> A man suspected of befriending an elderly woman, moving into her home, stealing her property, and disappearing just as investigators turned their focus to him was spotted at the woman’s home again and arrested on suspicion of grand theft, authorities said.

The suspect, a 42-yearold man, was arrested Friday on Pyrola Lane in San Carlos, according to a statement from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies a nd detectives began investigating the suspect in August after they learned he had befriended the San Carlos woman and moved into her residence. Over the next several months, authorities said, he stole her jewelry, vehicles, drained bank accounts and attempted to sell the victim’s house.

Investigators did not say how the suspect and the woman originally met. The sheriff’s office said in the release that the suspect had disappeared around the time its investigation was getting underway.

On Friday, a concerned neighbor spotted the suspect at the victim’s home and contacted police,the sheriff’s office said. He was arrested without incident and booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility on suspicion of grand theft of personal property and identity theft totaling more $950 by a caretaker from an elder or a dependent adult.

He is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, sheriff’s office online records show. The sheriff’s office said it was continuing to investigate the case, including the possibility of additional victimes.

Investigators ask anyone with information to call 650- 599-1536. People also can call the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Anonymous Tip Line at 1-800-547-2700.