In California, Two Elder Abuse Suspects in Custody

Long Beach Police Department, Feb 07, 2008

Detectives from the Long Beach Police Department arrested 18-year-old, Mayra Rodriguez at Wells Fargo Bank in Bixby Knolls for Financial Elder Abuse. The 91-year-old victim and neighbor of Rodriguez hired her in early 2007 as her caretaker. Rodriguez was attempting to withdraw $5000 from the victim’s bank account at the time of the arrest.

On January 15, 2008, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Elder Abuse Section filed four charges, which included forgery, grand theft and theft from an elder/dependant adult against Rodriguez.

Following  Rodriguez’s arrest, Adult Protective Services coordinated with Accent Care Service to provide meal service for the victim. Accent Care sent their Client Care Coordinator, 29-year-old, Mario Orozco of Long Beach to the victim’s home to assess her needs.

On January 22, 2008, officers from the Long Beach Police Department responded to City National Bank regarding a possible elder abuse incident in progress.  Bank employees told Patrol Officers that Orozco was attempting to withdraw $100,000 from the victim’s account. Orozco allegedly drove the victim to five different banks instructing bank employees to close the victim’s accounts and give him the cash. Detectives from the Forgery/Fraud Detail responded to the scene and Orozco was arrested for Financial Elder Abuse and an outstanding traffic warrant.

On January 24, 2008, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Elder Abuse Section filed charges, which included ten counts of burglary and theft from an elder against Orozco.