NORTH PORT – Two people are facing serious charges after police say they stole more than $100,000 from an 80-year old man in North Port.
Spokeswoman for the North Port Police Madison Heid says Rozana and Joaquin Venegas attempted to withdraw $250,000 for their caretakers account. Investigators found additional checks made out to Rozana for things like hearing aids and upgrading the house, which were never purchased.
The family of the elderly man say he’s hard of hearing making it difficult for him to communicate making him an easy target for the two. Investigators were tipped off when the family noticed sores on the man’s back indicating possible neglect.
“They’d like just to make sure that they answer, making sure everything is okay. And that’s certainly important for that population, they’re vulnerable,” said Heid. “They can get confused depending on what they’re dealing with, so it’s definitely important to the police department to cover those bases.”
Both are charged with felony exploitation of the elderly. Investigators are asking other possible victims to come forward.
