BUDA — The Austin Police Department arrested two individuals May 8 on multiple charges in relation to warrants obtained by the Hays County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), including impersonating a nurse and exploitation of the elderly.
In March, HCSO began investigating a series of thefts from residents of a senior living community in Buda. The various reports involved a variation of a common theme: a female in scrubs represented herself as a nurse or health attendant to various seniors at their homes, then distracted the victims with a health evaluation. After the unexpected visit, the victims discovered their wallets, along with the various identifying and financial documents within, were missing, a news release stated. Some victims only became aware of the theft when their banks inquired about suspicious financial activity.
The cases were assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division (CID), where detectives were able to identify two suspects: Gina Hernandez, 32, and Elsa Vasquez, 30, both out of Austin. Through the course of the investigation, it was learned Hernandez and Vasquez attempted to use the victims’ bank cards at Austin area restaurants and businesses to purchase televisions, smart watches and other miscellaneous items, the release continued. The investigation confirmed that Hernandez and Vasquez were not licensed nurses with the Texas Board of Nursing.
