A tree service worker has been sentenced to 23 months in prison for ripping off a blind 89-year-old woman in The Villages.
Eugene Widows, 46, already a convicted felon, pleaded no contest this past week in Lake County Court to a charge of grand theft of a person over 65.
A Lady Lake police detective in August was at 7 Star Discount in Fruitland Park investigating “an unusual amount of personal checks” being written by the elderly Villages resident, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department.
While the detective was in the store, Widows walked in. The detective recognized Widows and summoned Fruitland Park police.
The detective was investigating a $500 check from the woman’s account which had been cashed Aug. 13 at 7 Star. Citizens First Bank had stopped payment on the check on Aug. 18. The operator of 7 Star confirmed that Widows had cashed the check.
Widows was taken into custody on charges of exploitation of the elderly and grand theft. A second man was arrested in the case in September.
In 2013, Widows had also been arrested on a charge of exploitation of the elderly. In 2009, he was arrested on cocaine and battery charges.
The Seniors vs. Crime office in The Villages has received four complaints about Widows in the past five years.
Earlier this year, a complaint was received about A Best Tree Service, operated by Widows. In 2013, Seniors vs. Crime had two cases involving Widows’ G & S Total Lawn Care.
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