A woman will appear in court after allegedly stealing from multiple aged care residents in Springwood throughout August and September this year.
Police have been told that sometime between Friday 9 August 2019 and Friday 23 August 2019, at around 11am, a woman approached a male resident, asking to use his bathroom. The 76-year-old man allowed access to his unit, which is situated within an independent living complex on Macquarie Road.
A short time later, the woman left the villa and the man discovered that a small amount of cash was missing from his wallet.
About 4pm on Sunday 8 September 2019, a woman knocked on the door of a unit within the same complex, asking to use a phone because her car had broken down.
The woman stayed for approximately 30 minutes before leaving. Shortly after, the 92-year-old female owner of the unit discovered that an amount of cash was missing from her handbag.
Both incidents were reported to police on Monday 9 September 2019, and officers attached to Blue Mountains Police Area Command commenced an investigation.
Following inquiries, police attended the Macquarie Road independent living complex on Friday 20 September 2019, in relation to a woman being on the premises and arrested a 53-year-old woman inside a unit.
The Penrith woman was conveyed to Springwood Police Station and charged with two counts of steal property in dwelling – house.
She was granted conditional bail to appear in Penrith Local Court on Thursday 17 October 2019.
Police will allege in court that the woman was known to spend time at the aged care complex and had told the residents that that she has a history in nursing/ aged care.
As investigations continue, anyone with information is urged to come forward.
Anyone with information about incidents of stealing within aged care facilities and nursing homes is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
