SAN ANTONIO – A 29-year-old woman who worked at several assisted living facilities stole jewelry from at least two residents and there could be more victims, San Antonio police said.
According to a news release, Priscilla Mitchell is being investigated in four criminal cases.
Police said it appeared that Mitchell specifically targeted elderly people who suffer from memory loss or dementia at facilities on the North and Northwest sides of San Antonio.
Mitchell was arrested Thursday on two felony warrants for theft involving the elderly.
Police said they believe there may be more victims.
According to police, one of the victims was Darwin Dunlap, an 80-year-old man living at the Canyons of Stone Oak, a memory care community. His daughter, Joanne Padro-Alvarado, said her father sensed something was missing, but didn’t know what. Later she asked him, “Dad, where’s you ring? And, he looked down at his hand and he said, ‘I don’t know.’”
She said soon after that, the facility’s management took action and assisted SAPD with its investigation, which led to Mitchell’s arrest. SAPD tracked down the wedding band at a local pawn shop.
“There was some kind of knowing in his eyes when he put that ring back on,” Padro-Alvarado said.
Joseph Jasmon, CEO and managing partner of the American Healthcare Management Group, released the following statement regarding the theft:
“The Canyons of Stone Oak is saddened by the fact that someone would take advantage of our most vulnerable population. We are thankful for the efforts of the San Antonio Police Department in their efforts to being this person to justice. Our team has worked closely with the department to provide information that resulted in an arrest. We will continue to provide support to the San Antonio Police Department in this or any other matters. We encourage all senior living communities in the area to band together to prevent this from happening to our beloved seniors again.”
Although background checks are usually done, public records showed Mitchell had no prior arrests.
If anyone recognizes Mitchell and feels they may have been a victim, they are encouraged to call SAPD’s Property Crimes Unit at 210-207 8326.
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