Irvine, Orange County - An Irvine Burger King employee was arrested Wednesday for a theft crime after police observed the suspect stealing money from a mentally disabled woman.
Irvine investigators allege Luis Maximino Lucero Ballinas, 42, of Tustin repeatedly stole from the woman over the past several months when she ate at a Burger King as he was allegedly pocketing the woman's money.
The woman's parents became suspicious when she would return home without the change and contacted police.
The suspect was charged with theft against a dependent adult.
This type of theft crime is actually covered under California's elder abuse laws, explains Irvine criminal attorney Michael L. Guisti.
Under Penal Code 368 financial theft crimes against "dependent adults" and the elderly are treated just like theft crimes, and how much money the suspect allegedly embezzled from the victim will determine if he'll face a misdemeanor or felony charge, explains Guisti.
As well, the suspect could face petty theft or grand theft charges, says Guisti.
Even though it may be easy to dismiss the suspect as a fast-food worker, in this situation he was in a position of trust with the disabled customer, because he was briefly in charge of her money, explains Guisti.
If the suspect invokes his right to remain silence it's certainly possible police may obtain a warrant to check his bank account records, according to Guisti, which is why he needs a professional defense attorney.
If charged and convicted as a felony the suspect could face up to three years in a state prison.
If you're facing a theft charge it's very important to contact the Orange County theft crimes attorney experts at the Law Offices of Michael L. Guisti right away.
Even a small theft crime can greatly upset your life, but our expert lawyers have over a decade of successfully winning cases for our clients minimizing the impact and getting their lives back on track like nothing happened, so call us now!
