Carlsbad Police Arrest Man For Elder Abuse
March 18, 2009
Carlsbad police say they've made their biggest gypsy crime arrest ever. Detectives say the victims of these crimes are all elderly women in their 80s. Now the women might get their money back.
Handcuffed in court, police say 35-year-old Sonny Mitchell is a traveling gypsy who preys upon elderly women. Detectives say Mitchell and his accomplice trick senior drivers into pulling over, then after setting fires in their trunks, the scammers would allegedly convince the seniors that their cars needed immediate repair for their own safety.
"This is a scam that is being perpetrated across the country on a lot of elderly drivers," deputy district attorney Paul Greenwood said.
Carlsbad police say five seniors in all were duped out of more than $15,000 of their savings. Detective Patty Parra searched for Mitchell for four months.
"It feels great. I've been looking for this guy since November," Det. Parra said.
Prosecutors say the gypsies have left a trail of police reports in several states, and because they work one area after another then move on, they are nearly impossible to catch.
"He basically said he had access to 10 different driver's licenses that he purchased from a gypsy in Las Vegas for $800," Greenwood said.
After Mitchell pleaded not guilty, the judge declared him a flight risk and set his bail at $500,000.
Smug is a perfect word for it, yes, very sure of himself that he will be out hours after being booked in. It's nice to see them keeping him in custody," Det. Parra said.
Prosecutors say when Sonny Mitchell was arrested he had $5,000 in his pocket. They are going to do everything they can to make sure that money goes back to the victims.
Carlsbad police say they've also tracked down Mitchell's accomplice in Reno, Nev. That suspect is awaiting extradition to a North County jail.
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