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Woman accused of elder fraud in Fullerton to be arraigned

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A former in-home caregiver accused of stealing from her elderly clients is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning on numerous theft charges, according to the Fullerton Police Department.

Fullerton Police Sgt. Jeff Stuart said Janette Alvarez, 50, a former certified nurse, stole credit cards, jewelry, identification cards and other account information from multiple clients.

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He said Alvarez used the stolen information to make purchases for herself, and was also captured on surveillance video using a stolen credit card to buy items at a CVS store.

The victims were all in their 80s and 90s, police said, and included a former baseball player who helped win the National League pennant for the Milwaukee Braves in 1958.

The Braves continued into the World Series that year, but lost to the New York Yankees. Stuart said investigators fear Alvarez may have pawned the gold team ring and are asking for the public’s help in retrieving it.

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‘It’s probably one of the most recognizable pieces of jewelry,’ Stuart said.

In addition to the championship ring, the former player, who was not identified by police, was also missing a broach that was given to the wives of players.

Stuart said Alvarez worked as a certified nursing assistant for the Terrace View Rehabilition Center in Fullerton, where she cared for several of the victims. Those victims, he said, recommended her to friends outside of the rehabilitation center who were also victimized, police said.

Alvarez was arrested on Nov. 8 and booked on suspicion of elder abuse, theft and identity theft-related crimes. She is free on $25,000 bail.

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The California Department of Public Health, the agency that licenses certified nurse assistants, is also investigating Alvarez, Stuart said.

Investigators say they are continuing to search for more victims. They say anyone who received caregiver services from Alvarez and believes they may have been the victim of a crime is asked to contact Fullerton Police Det. Robert Barnes at (714) 738-6786.

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-- Ruben Vives

Twitter.com/latvives

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