On Thursday, Maricopa County Sheriff’s detectives arrested 40-year-old Sarah Freitas for defrauding an elderly victim.
Freitas was charged with 10 counts of Fraudulent Use of Credit Card, 1 count of Burglary 2nd Degree, 4 counts of Taking Identity of Another and 4 counts of Theft from Vulnerable Adult.
According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, on April 7, a 78-year-old female victim, contacted the Office to report that unknown persons(s), by unknown means, obtained five credit cards belonging to the victim and had spent approximately $2,000 in unauthorized transactions.
On March 15, the victim was notified that she would have to stay at the hospital for one month after a medical procedure. The victim asked Freitas (a woman who she hired to pick her fruit from the trees) if she would help her obtain items from her residence and transport her to the hospital and Freitas agreed.
The victim gave Freitas the keys to the residence and her vehicle, and she was taken to the hospital. On April 18, the victim was released from the hospital and had arranged with Freitas to pick her up in the victim’s vehicle, but Freitas never showed up.
When the victim arrived at her residence, she noticed there were personal items that did not belong to her. The victim also noticed jewelry, kitchen items, and personal documents were missing. The victim later provided utility bills which showed usage approximately two times greater than the average. The victim’s credit cards were in a wallet, which was in the living room.
Detectives obtained video surveillance showing who appeared to be Sarah Freitas using the victim’s credit cards to make personal purchases. Detectives used law enforcement databases to confirm her identity then did the photo lineup where the victim identified Sarah Freitas.
On July 13, detectives arrested Sarah Freitas and booked her into jail.
During questioning Freitas admitted she had taken some items out of the residence, selling a few pieces of jewelry, and used the victims credit cards. If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, please contact 602-876-TIPS (8477).