Man Neglected, Stole $90K From Elderly Fanwood Woman: Prosecutor

FANWOOD, NJ — Authorities say a man neglected and stole nearly $90,0000 from a 90-year-old Fanwood woman while in his care over the course of nearly four years, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo announced Thursday.

Castor A. Toro, 52, is charged with second-degree theft, second-degree theft by deception, and third-degree abandonment or neglect of an elderly person.

Beginning in October 2016, Toro began siphoning money from the victim while living rent-free at her home on the 400 block of North Avenue in Fanwood, according to an investigation by the Special Prosecutions Unit of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

Over the course of nearly four years, Toro allegedly opened credit cards in the victim’s name without her knowledge or consent, used her existing credit cards for personal expenses, wrote himself checks from her bank account, and tricked her into writing him checks, claiming they were for "investments." In all, the theft amounted to nearly $90,000, according to Ruotolo.

A pattern of alleged neglect by Toro was also uncovered during the investigation. Toro had allegedly took steps to isolate the victim by limiting her access to others, cutting off her access to a telephone, and on at least one occasion, locking her in her own room, Ruotolo said.

Toro also took the victim to an attorney's office under false pretenses, where he coerced her into signing a will naming him as a beneficiary, Ruotolo said.

A warrant for Toro's arrest was issued on Tuesday and he turned himself in to authorities that night. He was taken to Union County Jail pending a first appearance and detention hearing to take place in Superior Court.

The victim was safely taken to the home of a relative.

Toro faces 5 to 10 years in state prison on the second-degree criminal charges and 3 to 5 years for
third-degree crimes.

Anyone who suspects that someone they know may be a victim of elder abuse is urged to contact their local police department or the New Jersey Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services.

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