John Thomas Windsor, 41. (Courtesy Orange County District Attorney's office)

KTLA News

6:10 p.m. PDT, April 13, 2011

VERMONT (KTLA) -- A man was arrested Wednesday on charges of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from a 98-year-old blind and deaf woman, authorities said.

John Thomas Windsor, a Vermont parolee from Costa Mesa, is accused of stealing as much as $280,000 from a woman he met through his mother, who was her caretaker.

The victim, identified as Edna M., was confined to her home and suffered from dementia.

According to the Orange County District Attorney's office, Windsor, 41, was currently on parole for domestic violence and fraud when he moved into the victim's home without her knowledge in 2008.

Windsor allegedly tried to use her credit cards to buy personal items including two cars and an engagement ring.

Windsor's mother The woman, identified as Edna M., eventually signed over power of attorney to Windsor.

Police were tipped to Windsor's activities when her bank became suspicious when he tried to take a loan out against her home.

Windsor was arrested Monday and charged for residential burglary, caretaker theft, fraudulently using an access card, as well as three counts of forgery.

He is currently being held on $280,000 bail.

Edna M. died in 2009 during police investigation.