PHOENIX – A woman in the Valley is suspected of using a credit card entrusted to her by a hospitalized woman, officials say.
Sara Freitas, 40, was booked into the Maricopa County Intake, Transfer and Release Facility last week on 19 counts, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
When the 78-year-old victim needed a medical procedure that required a one-month hospitalization starting March 15, she turned to Freitas for assistance. According to the MCSO, the victim had previously asked Freitas to pick fruit from a tree and gave the suspect the keys to her home and car.
On April 7, the victim contacted MCSO and reported charges of approximately $2,000 on five credit cards.
The victim was discharged from the hospital on April 18 and arranged for Freitas to be picked up. But the MCSO said Freitas never showed up.
When the victim returned home, he found personal items that did not belong to him, and found that some of his jewelry, kitchen utensils, and personal papers were missing.
Investigators have obtained surveillance video showing a woman, believed to be Freitas, using the victim’s credit card, the MCSO said.
Detectives arrested Freitas Thursday on 10 counts of credit card fraud, four counts each of identity theft, four counts of stealing from a vulnerable adult, and one count of robbery.
During questioning, Freitas admitted to removing items from the victim’s residence, selling some of the jewelry, and using a credit card, the MCSO said.
