Menifee Crime: Menifee Police Department nets first big arrest since city incorporation
Menifee, California - On Friday, October 10, 2008, the Menifee Police Department and Riverside County Sheriff’s Department - Perris Station, in cooperation with the Riverside County C.A.R.E. Team (Curtailing Abuse Related to the Elderly), with the assistance of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department - Jurupa Station, arrested a woman identified as Diana Adams, 37, of Riverside, for Abuse of the Elderly and First Degree Burglary. Adams was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center. Her bail was set at $60,000.
On Sunday afternoon, July 27, 2008, a woman, who was later identified as Diana Adams, approached an elderly woman in the pharmacy area of a Menifee-Sun City store. She talked with the victim briefly, telling her she was acquainted with her husband. The victim did not know who the woman was.
A short time later, after the victim returned to her nearby home, the woman from the store, who had followed the victim home without the victim’s knowledge, came to her front door and contacted the victim and her disabled husband, who was also an elderly person. Both victims were in their seventies.
The suspect fraudulently represented herself as an associate of an area hospital, who was at the home to check the expiration dates of prescription drugs in their home. The suspect presented herself with the intent of evoking the trust of the victims by identifying herself as a care provider. Using these fraudulent means to gain entry into the couple’s home, the suspect searched their bedroom and stole a bottle of morphine tablets the elderly man needed for pain.
The suspect is described as a 37 year old female, moderately heavy-set, light complexion, with brown shoulder-length hair.
The Menifee Police Department and Riverside County Sheriff is committed to investigating crimes perpetrated against the elderly and other members of our special needs community.
Because of other on-going investigations involving this suspect in near-by cities, a close-up photo (booking photo) of her will not be released at this time. A photo of the suspect, taken during the commission of the crime, was obtained from a Menifee-Sun City store surveillance camera. It is being released.
The public’s assistance is being requested. If anyone has information regarding crimes involving this suspect, or if anyone believes they were approached by this suspect in a pharmacy or other public place, they are requested to contact Detective Pete Wittenberg at the Perris Station, 137 N. Perris Blvd, Suite A, Perris, CA 92570, 951-210-1000.