Authorities say the suspect, Lisa Ferkovich, is believed to be a member of a "Travelers" group based in Maryland.
"The current indictment alleges crimes committed by the defendant when she befriended an 83 year old man in a North Babylon Supermarket this past summer and gained his trust," Suffolk Country District Attorney Thomas Spota said. "Our investigation found evidence she drained his bank accounts, accessed his mutual fund holdings, and rolled up $35,000 in bills using his credit cards."
Spota said Ferkovich is also known as Ruby Mitchell, Lisa Sideris and Lisa Brown. Ferkovich's criminal history shows four different dates of birth. She is believed to be 47 years old.
Ferkovich is also charged with ID theft in a separate case but a similar crime, bilking another man in his 80's by using his ID to buy three automobiles, including a new Mercedes.
"She was free on bond in that case when she met the North Babylon man in the grocery store this past July,"Spota said. "Using different identities, she has scammed as many as four elderly men, possibly more, over the past 2 years in the New York metropolitan area, including New York County."
Suffolk DA Squad detectives arrested Ferkovich on November 27 in front of her current Long Island address, 4 Bradish Lane in Bayshore. She is charged with grand larceny third degree as a hate crime.
Ferkovich is currently being held in the Suffolk County Jail without bail.
