Man charged with ripping off elderly victims in west Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Police in Windermere said a man who claims to be a contractor ripped off elderly victims.

Robert Williams Jr. was booked into the Orange County Jail on theft and burglary charges, but investigators said there may be more unsuspecting victims.

When resident Mary True hired Williams to trim the trees in her yard in June, she was hoping for a job well done.

"He never did a thing. And he said, 'Well that'll be $90 for today,'" True said. "I walked outside and I said, 'Well you didn't cut them.'"

According to investigators, Williams and his girlfriend, Alesia West, left the 85-year-old's Orange County home, but not before swiping her car keys. The couple then allegedly came back the same night and took the victim's car, which was later recovered in Lake County, police said.

Police said two days before that incident, the man ripped off a 93-year-old woman when he showed up to do repairs. An arrest affidavit states when the victim opened her front door, Williams asked, "You don't remember who I am?"

"Once inside he stole her wallet and then took the credit cards and went shopping with her credit cards," said Windermere police detective John Allen.

Police said a surveillance photo helped investigators identify Williams, but they are still looking for his girlfriend and want to question her.

True had harsh words for the suspect.

"Ignorant, stupid, lazy. Willing to live on what somebody else has worked hard for," True said.

Williams is being held at the Orange County Jail on a $33,000 bond. He has a criminal history that includes similar charges in both Orange and Lake counties.

WFTV