SONOMA COUNTY (BCN) — The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office arrested a transient man who is suspected of stealing cash from developmentally disabled adults at the group home where he worked, a sheriff’s sergeant said.
Ronald Rey Dumloa Abad, 30, worked two nights a week at the group home in the Penngrove area, but usually called in sick to attend to his ill mother in a hospital, Sgt. Cecile Focha said.
When he didn’t report to work on March 22, a co-worker checked a lock-box containing cash for the five group home residents and discovered $1,712 was stolen, Focha said. The co-worker said Abad was the last person to access the funds.
On Wednesday, Abad asked his step-father to return the key to the group home to the manager, Focha said. Abad admitted taking the money and said he was heading to Washington, Focha said.
The Sheriff’s Office issued a be-on-the-lookout to law enforcement along the U.S. Highway 101 corridor and in Oregon and Washington, Focha said.
Ukiah police spotted and arrested Abad seven minutes later and turned him over to the Sheriff’s Office, Focha said.
After an interview, Abad was arrested on suspicion of grand theft and abuse and theft from a dependant adult, Focha said. Abad is being held under $15,000 bail in the Sonoma County Jail and is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Sonoma County Superior Court, Focha said.
It’s not known how long Abad worked for the group home or if he was employed anywhere else, Focha said. Anyone with information about Abad is asked to call the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office or their local law enforcement agency.