Lake Elsinore Woman Accused Of Using Her Dead Grandmother's Name To Steal Title On $1M Home

RIVERSIDE, CA — A Lake Elsinore woman remained jailed Tuesday following her arrest last week for allegedly using her deceased grandmother's matching name to steal the title of a 76-year-old resident's $1 million home and attempt to sell it, according to police.

Jennifer Renee Lewis, 46, was arrested Sept. 15 on Elena Drive in Lake Elsinore by members of the Riverside Police Department's Post-Release Accountability and Compliance Team. She was booked into custody on suspicion of filing a false document in a government office, elder abuse, and grand theft.

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Investigators were first notified of the scheme on June 18, when the victim discovered her home's title had been altered to add an unrelated person's name without her knowledge or permission, according to police.

Detectives with the department's Economic Crimes Unit identified Lewis as the suspect. Police said Lewis' grandmother shared the exact same name as the elderly victim and died roughly two years ago.

Using her position as administrator of her grandmother's estate, Lewis used a copy of her relative's death certificate to file a fraudulent affidavit, successfully placing her name on the victim's property title, according to investigators.

Once listed on the title, Lewis put the home into escrow in an attempt to sell the $1 million property for $625,000, police said. She is also accused of trying to access the victim's retirement accounts and allegedly admitted to stealing mail from the victim's home.

Court records show Lewis was arraigned Sept. 18 and pleaded not guilty to all charges. Her bail was set at $80,000, the records show.

Lewis is next due in court Sept. 18 for a felony settlement conference.

Police urged local property owners to ensure their contact information remains current with the Riverside County Recorder's Office to receive alerts regarding changes to their property titles.

Authorities asked anyone with additional information regarding the case to contact Detective Brian Money at 951-353-7118 or by email at BMoney@RiversideCA.gov.