Affidavit: Woman steals $30,000 exploiting the elderly

Laura Vasquez, 41, gained the trust of an elderly woman, then convinced her to hand over more than $30,000 to her, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

San Antonio police began investigating the case in May, but believe Vasquez took money from the 76 year-old woman as far back as October of last year.

The affidavit stated that the victim told police soon after she met Vasquez, who was cutting her grass, Vasquez asked her to loan her $5.  During the next seven months, Vasquez continued to ask the victim for money—sometimes thousands of dollars at a time, the affidavit stated.  In all, police said, she took more than $30,000.

The affidavit stated that she gave the elderly woman various reasons why she needed the cash, including to pay her rent, buy medicine and pay her own bail when she wasn’t even incarcerated.

The victim told investigators that she hoped that by continuing to loan Vasquez money, she would keep her engaged and willing to pay her back, the affidavit stated.

Detectives said Vasquez admitted borrowing money from the woman, but told them it was only a few thousand dollars.

She was arrested Thursday on charges of exploitation of the elderly and theft involving the elderly.