Police say pair of caregivers cleaned out elderly woman’s accounts
Millsboro, Del. – The Delaware State Police Financial Crimes Unit has arrested two Millsboro women for allegedly ripping off elderly victim of more than one hundred thousand dollars.
Police say that a ten-month investigation into an elderly female’s financial records revealed these two females and one male stole thousands of dollars from the victim.
The investigation into this incident began in February of 2014 when a 91-year-old victim of Millsboro responded into Troop 7 with her current caregiver to report a possible theft complaint.
The investigation revealed that a former care giver and neighbor, Tammy Lynn Willis, 53, of Millsboro had been given power of attorney and began writing large amounts of checks on the victim’s account to herself.
On August 9, 2012 and April 15, 2013, Tammy Lynn Willis, wrote out checks for roof repairs in the amount of $12,076.00 and there were no roof repairs completed. Two of the checks were issued to her son, Ricky Pennington 36, of Lewes. On January 5, 2013, Tammy Lynn Willis allegedly purchased a 2003 yellow Pontiac Aztek in the amount of $5,443.00 and used the victim’s account. Amanda Willis 30, of Millsboro received over $11,000.00 in checks written out to her from the victim’s account for “in home care” which the victim never received.
From December 29, 2012 to present, police say that Tammy Willis wrote over $46,000.00 in checks to herself and used the victim’s check and credit card for purchases totaling more than $82,000.00. The victim was defrauded more than $129,000.00.
Tammy Lynn Willis was arrested on Friday, December 19, 2014, by Troop 4 Detectives. She was charged with the following: Theft Where the Property Value is $100,000.00 or more, Exploit Resources Greater Than $50,000.00 of an infirmed adult, and Conspiracy 2nd. She was arraigned at JP2 and committed to Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on $61,000.00 secured bond.
Amanda Willis was arrested on Monday, December 22, 2014 by Troop 4 Detectives.
She was charged with Theft over $1500 where Victim is 62 years of age or older or Infirmed/Disabled Person (Fraud), Conspiracy 2nd and Abuse, Neglect, Exploit or Mistreat an Infirmed Adult. She was arraigned at JP2 and released on $35,000.00 unsecured bond.
Police say that Ricky Pennington has not been arrested at this time and warrants are on file at Troop 4 for Theft over $1500.00 and Victim is 62 Years of Age or Older or Infirmed/Disabled Person (Fraud), Conspiracy 2nd and Abuse, Neglect, Exploit or Mistreat an Infirmed Adult. No photo available of Ricky Pennington.
The photo of Tammy Lynn Willis shows she has eye glasses and a red shirt. Her daughter Amanda Willis is the second photo attached.
If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Ricky Pennington, they are asked to contact Det. T. Shockley at 302-856-5850 ext. 257 or by utilizing the Delaware State Police Mobile Crime Tip Application available to download at: http://www.delaware.gov/apps/. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”