SLO couple arrested after allegedly embezzling $2,700 from neighbor, police said
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A San Luis Obispo woman and her boyfriend were arrested after they allegedly used her neighbor’s debit card for more than $2,700 of unauthorized purchases, the San Luis Obispo Police Department said on Wednesday night.
Jessica Hamilton, 37, served as a caregiver for her 60-year-old neighbor on Lucca Lane, police said.
The man had suffered a brain injury years ago and could not drive, so he gave Hamilton his debit card to “pick up and pay for medication at his pharmacy,” police said in a news release.
When reviewing his bank records, he discovered that Hamilton “had used his debit card for unauthorized cash advances and purchases,” the release said.
The man canceled the debit card and then reported the incident to the San Luis Obispo Police Department on Jan. 8.
Days later, Hamilton allegedly drove the man to his bank and asked him to order a replacement debit card, but he refused. She then “attempted to guide him into recanting his statement” to the police, the release said.
Police discovered through their investigation that Hamilton and her boyfriend, 37-year-old Rafael Gonzales, had made $2,717 of unauthorized purchases with the debit card from October to January.
Those purchases included unauthorized ATM withdrawals and purchases at the Skyzone trampoline park in Santa Maria and the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez.
“There were additional attempts of cash advances totaling $2,462 but had been declined as (the) victim’s bank only allowed for up to $500 withdrawal per day,” the release said.
Police arrested Hamilton on Feb. 8 on suspicion of felony elder abuse, felony embezzlement, felony conspiracy and felony dissuading a witness. Meanwhile, police arrested Gonzales the same day for alleged felony elder abuse, felony embezzlement and felony conspiracy.
Hamilton and Gonzales were released from jail on bail, police said. Their arraignment is scheduled for Monday.
