AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two women accused of impersonating nurses were arrested in Travis County connected to thefts happening at a senior living community in Buda, according to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office.
Those women were identified as 32-year-old Gina Hernandez and 30-year-old Elsa Vasquez, both of Austin, according to HCSO.
Hernandez and Vasquez were arrested by the Austin Police Department on May 8 and were booked into the Travis County Jail. HCSO said Hernandez remained in the custody of Travis County on a total bond of $214,000. Vasquez was released on a total bond of $22,000. All charges were filed by HSCO, the agency said.
Attorney information was not available for Hernandez or Vasquez. We will update this if that changes.
HCSO said in a news release it opened an investigation finding several reports of women in scrubs unexpectedly showing up to seniors’ homes. Investigators claim the women distracted the seniors with health evaluations and then stole their belongings.
“Some victims only became aware of the the theft when their banks inquired about suspicious financial activity,” HCSO said.
The investigation revealed Hernandez and Vasquez “attempted to use the victims’ bank cards at Austin area restaurants and businesses to purchase televisions, smart watches, and other miscellaneous items.”
The investigation also revealed that Hernandez and Vasquez “were not licensed nurses with the Texas Board of Nursing,” according to HCSO.
Investigators with HCSO obtained warrants for both Hernandez and Vasquez for the following charges provided by the agency below:
- Credit/debit card abuse of the elderly, third-degree felony (12 counts each)
- Theft from an Elderly individual, third-degree felony (Hernandez: 3 counts; Vasquez 4 counts)
- Exploitation of the Elderly, third-degree felony (3 counts each)
- Impersonating a Nurse, class A misdemeanor (3 counts each)
HCSO said there may be additional victims, and are asking anyone with information related to this case to come forward. They can contact HCSO Detective Jessica Barkley at jessica.barkley@hayscountytx.gov.
No other details were available Thursday.
