Suspected in multiple elder abuse and theft cases in two counties, San Jacinto caregiver arrested

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Authorities say that a San Jacinto caregiver, who is suspected in multiple elder abuse and theft cases in Riverside and Orange counties was arrested after a months-long investigation into allegations against the woman.

During a search warrant served at the alleged suspect’s San Jacinto residence, officers located and recovered hundreds of dollars worth of jewelry and other valuables stolen from at least two victims. Officials now say the woman is connected to multiple ongoing theft and elder abuse cases in the two counties and have asked for other potential victims to come forward.

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In November of last year, City if Riverside police officers began investigating the report if a burglary that occurred at a residence in the Magnolia Center neighborhood of Riverside.

The elderly victim, described only as a woman in her 80s, reported several hundred dollars worth of jewelry went missing after caregivers provided her assistance at her residence.

The case was handed over to detectives assigned to the department’s Property Crimes Unit, who began an investigation.

During their investigation detectives developed leads and gathered information that led to the identity of Olga Romero, 39, of San Jacinto, who was a caregiver employed by a senior care company based in the city of Corona. Detectives also learned that Romero was a potential suspect in similar thefts being investigated in Orange County while she was working as a caregiver.

“On Thursday, May 6th, detectives served a search warrant at Romero’s residence in the 1700 block of Faulkner Avenue in San Jacinto and located numerous (pieces of) stolen jewelry belonging to the elderly victim,” RPD has since said of their investigation and arrest.

“They also found stolen property belonging to a senior care facility in Corona that was from a different theft investigation being conducted by the Corona Police Department.”

All the recovered stolen property was later returned to the victims.

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“Ms. Romero was also working independently as a private caregiver through “Olga’s Sunshine” in both Riverside and Orange counties, and through other senior homecare facilities,” RPD continued; adding that charges have been filed with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office against Romero for burglary, theft by caretaker of an elder, and possession of stolen property.

“She has also been relieved of her duties as a caretaker by her employer,” said RPD.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward, and are asking anyone with additional information regarding this investigation to contact Detective Edward Vazquez at (951) 353-7955 or [email protected]. Callers can refer to incident file number 200030701 and can remain anonymous. Those wishing to remain anonymous can email [email protected] or utilize the Riverside Police Department’s mobile app “Submit a Tip” feature.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information becomes available.



Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 49, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).

Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.