Caregiver in Hilo charged with unauthorized use of 92-year-old’s credit card

Hawaiʻi Island police arrested and charged Natrea Santiago of Hilo in connection with more than $10,000 in alleged unauthorized credit card charges involving the 92-year-old man she was caring for, authorities said.

Santiago, 33, was taken into custoday on Monday on an arrest warrant after an investigation that began in December.

The case was opened after a family member of the elderly victim discovered numerous unauthorized online charges on his credit card account. Officials said the fraudulent activity continued even after the card was replaced.

Investigators determined that Santiago had been hired through a business to provide caregiver services for the elderly man and had access to his credit card.

The business cooperated with investigators, Hawai’i police said.

The Hawaiʻi County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney charged Santiago with first-degree theft, first-degree identity theft, unauthorized possession of personal confidential information, and fraudulent use of a credit card.

Bail was set at $70,000.

“Oftentimes, our elderly are taken advantage of by people they trust,” said Captain Rio Amon-Wilkins. “We take these cases very seriously. Our kūpuna are vulnerable, and we are committed to thoroughly investigating these types of financial crimes.”

Under Hawaiʻi law, first-degree theft includes theft of property from a person 60 years of age or older when the offender knows or reasonably should know the victim’s age. Officials noted such cases are treated with heightened seriousness due to the vulnerability of elderly victims.

The Hawaiʻi Police Department reminds the public to monitor financial accounts for suspicious activity and remain vigilant in protecting elderly family members.