Caregiver arrested for embezzling $160,000

Marivelis Serrano

An 85-year-old Bloomfield Township resident is the victim of financial theft and identity theft by her longtime caregiver, with police becoming aware of the thefts in January and arresting in April Marivelis Serrano who was arraigned at 48th District Court on Tuesday, April 9, on an 18-count felony warrant.

On January 16, Bloomfield Township police were alerted to an alleged financial exploitation of an 85-year-old female resident of Bloomfield Township. Detectives launched an investigation of her exploitation and discovered that Marivelis Serrano, 48, of Pontiac, had stolen $160,000 from the victim, transferring it into her own accounts.

According to Bloomfield Township Public Information Officer Nick Soley, Serrano was employed and trusted by the victim as a caretaker. Her job included housecleaning, transportation and assistance with other day-to-day tasks.

Police determined that thousands of these dollars were spent on online gambling platforms. It was also discovered that Serrano had illegally used the victim's debit card to buy thousands of dollars worth of goods for herself, including $6,200 in Amazon purchases and $3,600 in Instacart purchases.

The case was presented to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office, which issued the 18-count felony warrant. Serrano surrendered herself to the 48th District Court. Charges included one count of embezzlement of $100,000 or more, 12 counts of uttering and publishing, and five counts of identity theft.

At Serrano's arraignment, she was given a $50,000 cash surety or 10 percent bond.

“Bloomfield Township Police Department takes crime against vulnerable members of our community very seriously and are committed to finding justice for the victims,” said Soley.