A father-son duo in Orange County is facing serious charges for allegedly exploiting the trust of elderly residents by using a fake home security company as a front to commit burglary. A 37-year-old Jacinto Chavez and his son Jeremiah, 19, conned their way into the homes of senior citizens pretending to be from Brinks home security, only to leave with stolen property, according to the Orange County, Office of the District Attorney.
The victims, aged between 79 and 88 and one legally blind, were allegedly targeted by the Chavezes due to their visible home security signs; Jacinto Chavez impersonated an employee of the security company while Jeremiah is accused of aiding in at least one of the burglaries, the details revealed by the district attorney's office paint a sorrowful picture of manipulation and deceit that pervaded these elderly individuals' safety nets, their trust callously bartered for cash and jewelry. Jacinto faces 11 years and four months in prison on multiple felony charges, while his son could receive up to six years for his involvement.
Both father and son have entered not guilty pleas, with a pretrial hearing planned for April 9 as the investigation continues, Anaheim Police and Orange County Crime Stoppers have asked for additional victims to come forward and have provided contact numbers for those affected to reach out for assistance and potentially to identify further crimes committed by this alleged predatory pair. "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 in a moment of reflection over the distasteful irony at play, as per the Orange County, Office of the District Attorney.
Deputy District Attorney Gerard Gully, of the Gangs/Target Unit, is tasked with prosecuting this case that has stirred unease among the communities of Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties where additional victims are believed to reside; authorities continue their efforts to unravel the extent of the crimes and to secure justice for those seniors whose sanctuary was so cruelly violated under the guise of security and care.
