Salinas man sentenced to jail for stealing from dementia patients

A Salinas man who stole jewelry from residents of the long-term care facility where he worked was sentenced to 240 days in jail and ordered to pay more than $20,000 in restitution.

John Santos, 48, was convicted of elder abuse and possessing stolen property. He will be placed on felony probation upon his release from Monterey County Jail.

In January, police were notified that a resident in the memory care unit of the Emeritus Care Facility in Salinas had reported valuable jewelry missing. Investigators determined Santos, the victim’s caretaker, had replaced the valuable jewelry with costume jewelry without the victim’s knowledge. A search of Santos’ home turned up additional stolen property from a second resident of the facility.