PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CA — A caregiver from Wilmington was accused of taking numerous blank checks from elderly victims, forging them and cashing them and Palos Verdes Estates police believe there are additional victims.
Detectives in Palos Verdes Estates said they are investigating 34-year-old Isela Ruiz, who is suspected of stealing jewelry as well as checks from elderly care patients. Authorities believe these items were stolen from the homes of the victims while they were under Ruiz’s care.
After a Palos Verdes Estates resident filed a police report on Aug. 5, authorities began their investigation and sought to locate Ruiz, Palos Verdes Estates Police Detective Joe Marino told Patch.
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Police located Ruiz on Aug. 18 in Carson, arrested her and booked her into the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department jail, where she is being held on $195,000 bail. On Aug. 19, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office filed four felony counts against Ruiz in relation to the investigation, PVEPD said.
Shortly after Ruiz was arrested, investigators recovered the stolen jewelry and returned it to the victims.
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Detectives believe there are additional victims and encouraged anyone who may have additional information to contact Detective Marina at 310-378-4211 or [email protected].
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