Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Chief Michael Lloyd of the Monroe Township Police Department said today that a woman has been arrested and charged with stealing $200,000 from an 86-year-old relative.
Susan Obel, 61, of Brooklyn was charged on March 23, 2016 with theft by deception, forgery, uttering a forged check, credit card theft, and unlawful use of a credit card.
She was released from custody after positing $75,000 bail.
Obel was charged following an investigation by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Elder Abuse and Exploitation Team, which is dedicated to curbing crimes committed against senior citizens.
During the investigation, Detective Brian Dziomba of the Monroe Township Police Department and Detective Linda Infusino of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that Obel took the funds in various amounts between October 2013 and December 2015. The victim resides in Monroe Township.
It was further determined that the stolen funds were used to purchase such items as clothing and jewelry and to assist in the purchase of real estate.
The investigation is active and is continuing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Dziomba of the Monroe Township Police Department at (732) 521-0222, or Detective Infusino of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3477.