DENVER (KDVR) — A person within the nation illegally will spend six years in jail after being sentenced in a subtle theft scheme that robbed a lady of her life financial savings within the type of gold bars value greater than $63,000.
Sagar Patel, 27, was sentenced Friday within the July 2023 scheme by which an 80-year-old Highlands Ranch girl was victimized when she clicked a “pop up” message on her pc warning her a couple of supposed virus on her pc, the twenty third Judicial District Lawyer’s Workplace introduced Friday in a press launch. She then spoke to a person on a cellphone quantity offered within the popup who claimed to be a federal agent.
The person satisfied her that her checking account was compromised and that she wanted to buy two 1 kilo gold bars, valued at greater than $126,000 collectively. She later handed these gold bars over Patel, who was pretending to be an spy.
“Whereas no sentence can undo what occurred to my mom, this conviction brings a small sense of justice and closure for the household,” the sufferer’s son, William Wilcox stated within the press launch.
The lady recorded the person’s car license plate, which the district legal professional’s workplace known as a “essential choice” that ultimately led to Patel’s arrest.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Workplace in a press launch Saturday credited Detective Eric Oppeau with monitoring down Patel utilizing subpoenaed bank card, automobile rental, and phone info. Oppeau later was capable of place Patel on the scene of the theft.
The sheriff’s workplace stated the breakthrough got here when Oppeau labored with a New Jersey process drive to search out Patel. He was arrested in February 2024 and positioned on an immigration maintain attributable to being within the nation illegally. He’s from India, in keeping with the sheriff’s workplace.
“This case exemplifies the dedication and resourcefulness of our Monetary Crimes Unit investigators,” Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly stated within the sheriff’s workplace press launch. “Detective Oppeau pursued each lead, by no means shedding sight of the sufferer’s want for justice. We’re happy with the work carried out to deliver this legal to justice, and this case underscores our dedication to guard these in danger.”
The district legal professional’s workplace stated Patel is underneath investigation for related crimes in Delaware and New York.
George Brauchler, district legal professional within the twenty third Judicial District, praised the sufferer’s bravery and the sheriff’s workplace, and in addition gave a warning to others pondering they will rip-off residents in his district.
“The sufferer’s bravery and DCSO’s relentless efforts helped us to catch this despicable thief and convey him to justice,” Brauchler stated. “I’ll proceed to warn criminals: should you come right here to victimize us, deliver a toothbrush. Anticipate incarceration.”
