San Rafael Man Admits Stealing $6K From Elderly Woman

By Bay City News Service:

A San Rafael man pleaded guilty to robbing an elderly Sausalito woman of her checkbook and stealing over $6,000 from her in 2012, police said.

Sausalito police received an initial report in August 2012 from the nephew of an elderly resident who believed someone had stolen his aunt’s personal checks and was fraudulently using them.

Eleven of the victim’s personal checks had been forged and a total of $6,480 was missing from the woman’s account, police said.

The nephew told police he believed a man hired to move his aunt’s property was a potential suspect.

A Sausalito police officer visited several Marin County banks to examine the forged checks and deposit slips during the investigation.

Sausalito police soon positively identified Luis Alberto Trujillo, 42, as the suspect.

Police said the elderly woman passed away in 2013, but that the investigation continued until the Marin County District Attorney’s Office filed burglary and forgery charges against Trujillo.

Trujillo appeared in court this month and pleaded guilty to one count of burglary.

The suspect was ordered to pay restitution to the family of the victim, according to police.

The Sausalito Police Department says they take crimes against their elderly population seriously and that anyone who feels an elderly member of the community is being taken advantage of due to their age, should contact the police department immediately at (415) 289-4170.