SANTA ANA, Calif. – The son of a man who impersonated a home security company employee to trick elderly victims into letting him inside their homes in order to steal jewelry, cash, and credit cards has been charged in helping his father carry out one of the burglaries, according to the OCDA.
The victims ranged in age from 79 to 88 years old, including one woman who was legally blind.
Authorities believe there are additional victims in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. If you believe you may be a victim, call the Anaheim Police Department at (714) 328-8153 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS.
Jacinto Chavez, 37, was charged last month with five felony counts of first-degree burglary and two felony counts of theft from an elder adult exceeding $950, and three misdemeanor counts of elder theft. He faces a maximum sentence of 11 years and four months in state prison if convicted of all charges.
Chavez’ son, Jeramiah Chavez, 19, has since been charged with one felony count of first-degree burglary and one felony count of theft from an elder. He faces a maximum sentence of six years in state prison if convicted of both counts.
Father and son have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are scheduled to return to court for a pretrial hearing on April 9 in Department N3 of the North Justice Center.
Over a four-month period, between August and November 2023, Jacinto Chavez is accused of targeting elderly residents in Anaheim who displayed home security signs outside their homes. He is accused of wearing a badge that identified him as a Brinks home security employee.
After gaining the victims’ trust, Jacinto Chavez is accused of stealing jewelry, credit cards and credit card information. On at least one occasion, his son Jeremiah Chavez is accused of joining him to steal from an elderly woman in Anaheim.
“These victims subscribed to a home security company to protect themselves from crime. And instead of preventing them from becoming victims, that security system is what Chavez and his son used to target them – and steal their precious jewelry, credit cards, and cash – all while pretending to be someone who is helping to keep them safe,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “There are few things more despicable than someone who is willing to lie right to an elderly person’s face and rob them with a smile on their face.”
Deputy District Attorney Gerard Gully of the Gangs/Target Unit is prosecuting this case.
