A ring of thieves in the Denver area is taking advantage of lax nursing home security in order to rob elderly residents.  The male thieves dress as female nurses in order to gain entrance to senior-living facilities and nursing homes.

  
Once they enter the facility, the men enter patient rooms and apartments where they take credit cards.  The thefts occur while the residents are eating meals or are busy with planned activities.  Since May, the thieves have struck 20 times.

  
The Colorado robberies are believed to be connected to a national crime ring responsible for similar incidents in Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana and Texas.

  
Currently Colorado officials have two suspects.  Makinious Hartfeld, was arrested in Colorado Springs and is currently out on bond.  Hartfeld was convicted of similar crimes in 2006.

  
The second suspect has not been identified.

  
Nursing home patients are easy prey for criminals interested in identity and credit card theft.  In Birmingham, Alabama, a certified nursing assistant took personal information from a resident and charged more than $5,000 in merchandise.

  
A nursing home has the responsibility to screen its employees and to keep unauthorized people from entering patient’s rooms and a facility must protect a resident’s property from being lost or stolen.   If you feel a loved one is being taken advantage of, please contact the expert attorneys at Kaufman Law toll free at 888-973-2540 to find out how we can help.