Elderly Woman Bilked Out of Thousands, Deputies Say

When an elderly Zephyrhills woman fell ill earlier this year, a friend from a local pharmacy offered to step in and help. The “friend,” however, turned out not to be one and helped herself to cash instead, according to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

The case of theft and forgery began to unfold in January when the victim fell ill and was sent to a nursing home to convalesce, a probable cause affidavit stated. Julia Beier, 56, offered to help the woman out by selling her travel trailer, the report stated.

Beier, who had known the woman for years through her employment at Lynkins Pharmacy in Zephyrhills, did just that with the victim’s consent. The problem, according to deputies, is that Beier kept the $3,000 earned in the sale.

“The victim asked for her money from the defendant, but the defendant refused,” Det. Gary Souto wrote in the affidavit. When Souto asked Beier about the cash, she initially told him she sold the trailer for only $200. During a subsequent interview with the detective, Beier, the report said, admitted to selling the trailer for $3,000.

Beier produced a receipt showing the $3,000 paid to the victim. That receipt “was a forgery,” Souto wrote.

By Aug. 18, Suoto noted Beier had a change of heart and said she would pay the victim $2,000. That payment was a little too little and a little too late, deputies said.

Beier was charged on Wednesday with grand theft from a person over 65. She was booked into the Pasco County Jail and subsequently released in lieu of $5,000 bond.

Deputies say there may be more victims with similar stories. They are asking anyone who may have been victimized to contact them at 1-800-706-2488.

Booking photo courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office