Houston News: Elderly

Showing posts with label Elderly. Show all posts

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Channelview teen accused of punching elderly man in the face

Jordan Lee Kitterlin, 18, is charged with injury to the elderly.

CHANNELVIEW, TX (KTRK) -- A high school student is accused of punching an elderly man in the face.

Court documents state on September 24 Jordan Lee Kitterlin struck the 69-year-old man in the face, knocking him to the ground. The man suffered a severe laceration to his right eye.

A witness observed the incident and police say the witness identified Kitterlin through a photo.

Kitterlin, 18, is a student at Channelview High School.

He is charged with injury to the elderly. Bond has been set at $5,000.

channelview, local

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Sunday, September 16, 2012

Elderly husband of babysitter accused of molesting 4-year-old girl

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A 72-year-old man is now facing charges, accused of repeatedly sexually molesting a 4-year-old girl.

Carlos Ruiz is charged with indecency with a child. Police say Ruiz's wife and daughter had been babysitting the little girl for months. They say during that time, Ruiz, whom the little girl called "El Viejito," fondled her.

The child later told her grandmother about what was happening, and she called police.

Ruiz has not yet been arrested.

local

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Friday, September 14, 2012

Scammers target elderly homeowners

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A warning for homeowners across the Houston area -- police are searching for a group of travelers targeting the elderly and skipping town with their money.

Neighbors say two older couples in the Oak Forest neighborhood were duped out of hundreds by that shady crew of contractors. One victim told us the men entered her home and bullied her into handing over a check for his shoddy work.

Cheshire Lane is a quiet street, but it's been busy lately with contractors doing cement work. But one 87-year-old woman, who doesn't want to be identified, is warning her older neighbors about some so-called shady contractors who are going door to door.

"They called us mama and papa," the elderly victim said.

She says two aggressive men came up to her door Monday, offering to re-pave her driveway for $399. She says the workers simply scattered some powdered cement, then tried pressuring her and her 91-year-old husband into giving them $1,000.

"While the son was talking to me here, he was in the truck hollering different things at the son," the victim said.

The suspicious contractors left the elderly couple a receipt but it had no business name or a contact number. It had only the name "Steve Miller" and an indication the customer gave a $500 check, which the couple says the men quickly cashed.

"I wouldn't ever take that," neighbor Jim Strahan said. "That's not some professional guy. That's somebody who did it on their own computer or had a kid do it for him."

We checked the Houston Police Department, and they told us they're familiar with groups swindling the elderly like this. He says the culprits are travelers.

"My suggestion is, under no circumstances, do you pay in full for a construction job up front," Officer Gilbert Brillon said. "It's just not good business."

The victims describe the contractors as two large framed men with dark complexions. They identified themselves as a father/son crew, and they are driving a white truck. They appeared to be Indian Americans.

Police are encouraging any victims to give them a call.

local, demond fernandez

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Saturday, September 8, 2012

Caregiver accused of stealing elderly woman's cash

Pooja LodhiaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- A caregiver is facing charges, accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from an elderly woman she was caring for on the weekends.

Just off the South Freeway is a quiet neighborhood where many seniors come to retire. But what allegedly happened here is a shock to many.

"Oh, I'm glad you mentioned it. Oh my Lord,"said neighbor Lula Morris.

"That's sad, that's sad. They depend on and trust people to come and take care of them," another neighbor, Baby Dave Felder, said.

The 83-year-old woman who lives there received around-the-clock medical care. But according to a probable cause statement, she's claiming one of her caregivers stole $42,000 from her in July.

Louise Williams told police she kept a large envelope of cash in her pillowcase. She claims a caretaker named Narjis Lee found it while changing her sheets.

Court documents state, "The complainant stated that the defendant specifically grabbed the pillow where the envelope was located and stated, 'Look. Here is your money.'"

The caretaker allegedly went home soon afterward. And according to the report, "When she checked her envelope in the pillowcase, it had been filled with miscellaneous papers and the money was missing."

Police contacted Lee and "the defendant stated she did not know what was in the envelope and she just handed it to the complainant."

Now police say Lee has disappeared. She's charged with felony theft from the elderly.

"I have a provider and I'm careful about who it is I select to come into my home," Felder said.

According to investigators, Lee had been coming to the 83-year-old woman's Houston home for three or four weekends to care for her.

Narjis Lee, 36, is charged with theft. Her bail is set at $10,000.

local

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Friday, June 22, 2012

Elderly couple stabbed at NW Harris Co. home

Crystal KobzaHOUSTON (KTRK) -- The search is on for a man who stabbed an elderly couple in their garage in northwest Harris County last night.

It happened around 9:15pm at a home on Walters and Brimwood. Harris County sheriff's deputies say the couple had pulled into their garage and were unloading groceries when a man jumped them and stabbed them both.

Deputies say the husband, who's in his 70s, was stabbed multiple times and was last listed in critical condition. The wife, who's in her 60s, was cut multiple times and is said to be stable, but very traumatized over what happened.

The couple was taken to Ben Taub Hospital for treatment.

As for the suspect, deputies have few leads.

"At this time, the only thing we have is that it's a black male. It's the only description we have at this point," said Sgt. Greg Pinkins with the Harris County Sheriff's Office. "We're still trying to locate possible witnesses that may have seen something."

Deputies added the couple are Asian and because of the language barrier, they had a hard time getting more information.

According to the couple's neighbors, they just moved into this home about six months ago and were in the process of remodeling. Detectives say they're looking into who was in the home recently doing work. They believe there could be some connection there.

At this point, authorities believe the motive was robbery.

If you have any information, you're being asked to call Crime Stoppers.

local

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Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Elderly man charged with sexual assault now facing child porn charges

Theogil F. Cuttler, 73, is charged with sexual assault of a child under 17 years of age

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An elderly man already facing charges of sexually assaulting a teenage boy is now facing additional charges including child pornography.

In May, Theogil F. Cuttler, 73, was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy who was doing odd jobs around his house. Court documents state on May 16, a 15-year-old boy who was an acquaintance of Cuttler's went to his Webster residence to do some odd jobs for money, when the boy says Cuttler told him that he could make an extra $5 for engaging in a sex act.

Now Cuttler is facing a charge of sexual performance by a child and a charge of possession and promotion of child pornography. According to court documents, a 15-year-old boy told Webster police that Cuttler photographed and took video recordings of him nude in return for small amounts of money.

A search warrant executed on May 18 at Cuttler's residence discovered a digital camera containing many photos and videos of the boy as well as multiple other young boys, court documents show.

Bond has been set at $50,000 for each of the two new felony charges.

webster, local

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Monday, May 21, 2012

Elderly man accused of sexually assaulting teen boy who was doing odd jobs around his house

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An elderly man is accused of sexually assaulting a teenage boy who was doing odd jobs around his house.

Theogil F. Cuttler is charged with sexual assault of a child under 17. Court documents state on May 16, a 15-year-old boy who was an acquaintance of Cuttler's went to his Webster residence to do some odd jobs for money. The boy says Cuttler told him he would pay him $15 to clean his residence.

According to court documents, Cuttler, 73, also told the boy that he could make an extra $5 for engaging in a sex act.

Bond has been set at $50,000.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Increased reward of $30,000 offered in case of brutal assault of elderly man

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It's been more than five months since an 84-year-old man was brutally beaten and robbed inside his home in Midtown. He is still in the hospital and the suspect or suspects who did it are still at large.

Crime Stoppers has upped the reward for information leading to an arrest to $30,000. On Tuesday, friends, family and investigators came forward to ask for any new information in the beating and robbery that has that elderly Houston man still fighting for his life.

The beating and robbery happened in the 3400 block of Roseland Street in Houston almost six months ago, on the evening of November 15, 2011.

"I can't tell you the emotional effect it's had not only on his family, but his friends," said friend William B. Boyd.

The victim, Roland Suiter, who goes by "Darby," is still in the hospital, fighting for his life.

"We're really angry about this. Darby Suiter did not deserve it," said Boyd.

Friends, family and police came together at a Crime Stoppers news conference to ask for information. Investigators believe someone who knew Suiter committed the crime.

"Investigators believe that the incident was a result of a person or persons knowing that Mr. Darby kept a large amount of cash in his residence," said HPD Sgt. Darrell Defee.

Suiter, who served in the US Navy as a musician in the Fleet City Orchestra, made his mark on Houston as a lawyer and as a real estate investor so successful that a street in Pasadena is named after him.

"Suiter Way is named after Darby Suiter because he developed the properties there," Boyd said.

But despite Suiter's high profile, his attacker has yet to be found and Suiter's family and friends are struggling.

"His relatives were constantly coming down here from Ohio to be with him, to care for him. His friend who have full time jobs are taking care of him," said Boyd.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $30,000 for any information called in to the 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org that leads to the filing of felony charges or arrest of the suspect(s) in this case. Tips can also be sent by text message. Text TIP610 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). All tipsters remain anonymous.

crime tracker, adela uchida

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Saturday, April 28, 2012

Home health care nurse accused of stealing jewelry from elderly woman

Dusu Fofana, 25, is charged with theft

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A home health care nurse is accused of stealing thousands of dollars in jewelry from an elderly person for whom she was caring.

According to court documents, Dusu Fofana was caring for the 80-year-old victim between March 22 and March 27 while the senior was recovering from three surgeries at her residence west of downtown Houston. The victim says after Fofana stopped caring for her, she noticed a large amount of her jewelry was missing.

Police say the found a gold ring that was pawned by Fofana and that an employee of the pawn shop identified Fofana out of a photo array.

According to police, Fofana also stole nine pieces including pearl earrings, diamond earrings, a necklace and a bracelet, with a total value of $12,900.

Fofana, 25, is charged with theft. Bond has been set at $2,000.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Police: Man, 19, injured elderly with paintball gun

Erik Prescot, 19, is charged with injury to the elderly

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man is accused of shooting people with a paintball gun in west Houston this past weekend.

Erik Prescot, 19, is charged with injury to the elderly. According to court documents, Prescot and a minor were in a pickup truck when they fired a paintball gun at a man who was taking out the trash at his apartment complex in the 10000 block of Meadowglen.

That victim says when he was hit, he got in his vehicle and followed the suspects, who reportedly then fired on an elderly couple in front of a church in the 3000 block of Rogerdale. The elderly man was hit in the wrist and went to the hospital, where he called police.

Police were able to locate a juvenile, who told them that he was the driver in the truck during the paintball incidents, and told them that Prescot was the shooter.

Police contacted Prescot, who, according to court documents, told them he had seen people on TV shooting random people with a paintball gun, which is what gave him the idea.

Prescot's bail has been set at $5,000.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Sunday, January 29, 2012

Man accused of theft after telling elderly woman she won lottery, had to pay him taxes

Robert Cornell, 81, is charged with theft.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man living at a southwest Houston retirement home is accused of stealing money from an elderly woman after he reportedly convinced her that she had won a prize.

Robert Cornell, 81, is charged with theft. According to court documents, on September 29 , 2011, Cornell called a 92-year-old woman and told her she had won a lottery. But before she could collect her prize money, Cornell reportedly convinced her that she had to pay the taxes.

The woman complied, sending checks for $5,000 and $3,400 to Cornell's mailing address. Those checks were cashed at a southwest Houston Wells Fargo bank.

Investigators say the woman received more calls asking for more money. The victim, who had never received a prize, became suspicious and called police.

Through an investigation, police were able to identify Cornell, who lives at a retirement home. They say his driver's license photo matches bank photos of the man who cashed the victim's checks. Tellers were also able to identify him from his driver's license photo.

Bail in the case is set at $5,000.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Saturday, January 21, 2012

Elderly man accused of running cross-state lottery scam

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man living in a southwest Houston retirement home is accused of running a lottery scam against a fellow senior citizen in California.

Robert W. Cornell, 81, is charged with theft from the elderly.

According to court documents, Cornell called his victim -- an elderly woman in Sacramento, California -- in September and gave her a false name. He told her she had won the lottery but she needed to pay taxes on the winnings before the prize could be awarded.

The victim followed her caller's directions and mailed two checks for $5,000 and $3,400 to Robert Cornell at his address on Jason Street in Houston, officials said. The checks were then cashed at a Wells Fargo Bank on S. Gessner.

Investigators said the victim continued getting phone calls asking for more money, but she never received the prize money. She realized she was being scammed and called Sacramento police.

A detective in Sacramento contacted the Houston Police Department for assistance. HPD confirmed that Cornell lived at the address on Jason St. and that the address was a retirement home with locked mail boxes and restricted building access.

Houston police also looked at surveillance footage from the Wells Fargo where the checks were cashed and were able to identify Cornell, records state.

Cornell has not been arrested. It was unclear Friday if the woman in California was his only alleged victim.

local

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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Man charged in stabbing of elderly couple

James Harris, Jr. is charged with murder and aggravated assault

ANGLETON, TX (KTRK) -- A man is now charged with murder and assault, accused of attacking an elderly couple in their home in Angleton.

Angleton police say James Harris, Jr. is in custody. They say he stabbed Alton and Darla Wilcox after breaking into their home on the afternoon of January 14.

Alton Wilcox, 85, died at a hospital. His wife Darla Wilcox, 69, is recovering at the hospital.

According to police, Harris robbed the couple to get rent money for his south side hotel room. Police say the charges could be upgraded to capital murder later this week.

Bond is set at $1 million total for the two charges.

angleton, local

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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

ABC13 photographer helps rescue elderly man

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- One of our news photographers saw someone stall out in high water and then jumped in to help.

Chris Graczyk was shooting video in southwest Houston and saw a Cadillac going down a washed out road. The car started to float away, so Chris and another man drove down in a pickup truck to help the driver.

"I appreciate you, my goodness. You saved my life and made me more comfortable," said stranded motorist Myron Steves. "Marvelous. I don't know them and there's still some good Samaritans left. Those two guys were it."

The driver was OK.

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Friday, December 30, 2011

Man faces new allegations of stealing from elderly

Christopher Shawn Oliver, 34, is charged with felony theft from the elderly in connection to a December 21 break-in at the home of a Spring couple.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Detectives have arrested a man on accusations he broke into the Spring-area home of an elderly couple, stole the homeowner's jewelry and sold it to a nearby pawn shop.

Christopher Shawn Oliver, 34, is charged with felony theft from the elderly, according to Harris County Pct. 4 Constable's Office.

Detectives say on December 21, Oliver broke into a home in the 3500 block of Nutwood Lane while the 89-year-old homeowner was at a doctor's office. When the elderly woman returned home later that day, she noticed several pieces of jewelry, including her 68-year-old wedding ring, were missing from her jewelry box.

Detectives determined someone had pried open the front door of the elderly couple's home. Investigators then tracked down three of the jewelry items, which had been sold to a pawn shop in the 1700 block of Spring Cypress Road within an hour of the break-in. The value of the three recovered items is estimated to be worth $6,000.00 to $8,000.00.

Investigators identified the suspect as Oliver, who is currently on parole for robbery. He was arrested and transported to the Harris County Jail, where he is being held under a $10,000.00 bond.

local

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Friday, July 15, 2011

Houston police need help to find missing elderly man

Isidro Tamez, 84, was last seen yesterday at around 7pm at a church in the 1100 block of Griffin Street.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston police need your help to find a missing elderly man last seen near the Heights yesterday.

Isidro Tamez, 84, was last seen yesterday at around 7pm at a church in the 1100 block of Griffin Street. He was driving a 1997 white Ford Escort, license plate 082-DBG.

Through an EZ tag search, investigators were able to determine the vehicle Tamez was driving was in the area of Highway 90 at the Toll Road in Ft. Bend County shortly before 7am today.

Tamez is Hispanic with brown eyes and gray hair. He has a medium build. He was last seen wearing a brown checkered button-up shirt with tan slacks.

Anyone who has information on Tamez's whereabouts is asked to call the Houston Police Department's missing person's division at 713-731-5223.

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Saturday, July 9, 2011

Man accused of stealing from elderly in Ponzi scheme

Robbie Dale Walker, of Dripping Springs, was arrested Wednesday for theft over $200,000, a first degree felony.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man is accused of bilking more than $80,000 from an elderly Houston woman in an alleged Ponzi scheme.

Robbie Dale Walker, of Dripping Springs, was arrested Wednesday for theft over $200,000, a first degree felony. Authorities say the investigation began in early April 2011 after Walker met with the 93-year-old victim. She was reportedly approached by Walker for an investment with RD Walker Resources, Inc., a firm he identified as a gas and oil exploration company. The victim said she had known Walker for some time and trusted him. Authorities say there was ultimately no return on the investment and Walker continued to request additional funds from the victim to assist in "development" and a return on her investment. Details from the investigation led detectives to believe this was a Ponzi scheme. Walker was released from the Hays County Jail after posting a $10,000 bond. If convicted, the punishment ranges from 5 to 99 years and a fine of up to $10,000. Authorities say the possibility exists that there are other victims from the Hays County, Austin and Houston areas involved in this scam through Robbie Walker or his company RD Walker Resources, Inc. who have not yet been identified. If you believe you have been a victim in the manner described, please contact Hays County Sheriffs Office at 512-393-7896 to file a report. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Saturday, June 18, 2011

Extreme heat puts elderly in danger

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The heat is especially dangerous for the elderly. Wednesday night on Eyewitness News at 10pm, we told you about a woman in her 90s and her son, who'd been in their home without air conditioning for three days! Well, you -- our concerned viewers -- responded.

Children and the elderly are the most susceptible to the extreme heat and humidity. Many elderly in our community don't have a way to keep cool in their own homes. That often leads to some major health problems.

If you think it's hot outside, check out the temperature inside Ralph Carter's house. It's almost as unbearable. He and his mother have had very little air conditioning for three days now. The window unit crashed on Monday.

Carter said, "It's cooler here today than it was yesterday by about 10 degrees."

While he's been using fans to try and stay cool, on Wednesday the oppressive heat finally took its toll on a 90-year-old woman whose been staying at the house. Carter found her lying on the couch.

"She was gasping for breath it seems, but she didn't seem conscious," Carter recalled.

His friend suffered heat stroke and had to be rushed to the hospital. Carter bought a portable A/C unit to keep his elderly mother comfortable until the repairman comes.

"It's working out OK," he said. "I'm just sorry I didn't do it. I should have taken those precautions sooner."

EMS workers have been busy in recent weeks as heat-related emergency calls have spiked. There were 70 in the first two weeks of June compared to just 12 in the first two weeks of May. Those who have questions or concerns about their A/C can call 211 for assistance.

Carter said, "The police department was by here this morning and they gave me a card and they told me I should contact the substation if I needed any help."

Several Channel 13 viewers who saw the story called and emailed us to see how they could help. A local couple has offered to buy and install a new window unit today. Together with the owners of an A/C repair company, they got the job done. Carter is overwhelmed and grateful for the support.

We should mention that during extreme heat emergencies, the city's office of emergency management would be activated and arrangements would be made through METRO to transport the elderly or anyone else to cooling centers.

local, andy cerota

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Monday, June 6, 2011

HPD searching for missing elderly man

Eleuterio Reyes, 80, was last seen in The Heights area Friday

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Police need your helping finding a missing Alzheimer's patient.

Eleuterio Reyes, 80, was last seen at 1531 Herkimer in The Heights area Friday. He was wearing a blue plaid shirt, blue jeans and black shoes.

Reyes has Alzeimer's Disease and only speaks Spanish.

He is 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds and has brown eyes and salt and pepper hair.

If you've seen him, call the Houston Police Department's missing persons division at 713-731-5223.

local

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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Teen accused of stabbing elderly woman to death

LA MARQUE, TX (KTRK) -- A teen in La Marque is now charged with the violent murder of an 84-year-old woman who was considered a grandmother to her neighborhood.

Family members found Vaneeda Wright dead in her bedroom Sunday at her home on Prune near 11th Street, where she's lived since the 1950s

Murder charges against this minor were filed around 1am. He is in custody at the Galveston County Juvenile Detention Center in connection with the violent murder of Wright.

Detectives believe Wright was stabbed to death by someone she knew. There were no signs of forced entry and neighbors say she would never open the door for a stranger.

"There appeared to be no signs of a struggle, but one of the rooms was definitely ransacked," said Det. Sgt. Shawn Spruil with the La Marque Police Department.

The motive is still unclear. It's now up to the district attorney's office whether or not to charge this teenager as an adult.

la marque, local, sonia azad

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Thursday, September 27, 2012

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Friday, September 14, 2012

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Friday, June 22, 2012

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Monday, May 21, 2012

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Friday, December 30, 2011

Friday, July 15, 2011

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Monday, June 6, 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

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