Oakdale, Ca- During the investigation of the death of Gerald Lockhorst, Detective Adam Rodriguez from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department Coroner Division discovered $18,000 had been taken from Lockhorst’s account the day after his death.
Gerald Lockhorst died of natural causes on August 21, 2014 in the 4400 block of Lone Tree Rd. near Valley Home in Stanislaus County. Lockhorst was known to be homeless and had recently moved out of a house to stay in a local barn. Detective Adam Rodriguez from the Stanislaus County Sheriff Coroner’s Division was assigned to handle the death investigation.
During death investigations, detectives routinely search for next of kin. Detective Rodriguez located Lockhorst’s sisters in Oregon. He learned from the sisters that Lockhorst recently received a check for $20,000 from the probated estate of his late parents.
Detective Rodriguez located the bank where Lockhorst has his account. Rodriguez spoke to the bank manager to inquire about the account and its status. The manager told Rodriguez that $18,000 was transferred out of the account and was on its way to another account belonging to Warren Green. The money transfer was made on August 22, 2014, the day after Lockhorst passed.
Rodriguez was told by the bank manager that the transaction was made by bank employee Monica Perez. Based on the information, the bank manager said she would stop the transaction and transfer the funds back into Lockhorst’s account. The manager requested a death notification letter from the Coroner’s Office which Rodriguez provided.
During interviews, Warren Green said he was Lockhorst’s friend. Green did not want Lockhorst’s sisters to get Lockhorst’s money. Green was aware that he was not a beneficiary on the account and was not entitled to the money. He convinced Perez to transfer the money to his own account.
During interviews with Monica Perez, she admitted to knowing both Green and Lockhorst. She was told by Green that Lockhorst was deceased. Perez transferred the money to Green’s account even though Green was not a beneficiary or on the account. She admitted to Rodriguez that she knew it was wrong to do so.
Both Warren Green and Monica Perez were arrested by Detective Rodriguez for the theft and conspiracy to commit the theft.
Coroner’s detectives frequently have to locate relatives and protect assets belonging to the decedents. Many times it becomes a race to protect their funds or assets that may be used to provide funeral services for the decedent. Frequently friends and relatives run to the bank in an attempt access accounts through ATMs and drain the decedent’s funds before they can be secured, leaving inadequate funds to provide funeral services.
If you have any tips, you can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Tipsters can also e-mail tips at http://www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus the message and be eligible for a cash reward
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