A 56-year-old in-home caretaker in DeLand, Florida, was recently arrested after allegedly stealing over $100,000 from a senior couple under her care.
Suspect in custody, bail set at $60,000
The woman, identified by her initials Y.W., was apprehended by Volusia County Sheriff’s officers at a local gambling cafe. The establishment, which law enforcement referred to as an internet cafe, was where officers found and detained the suspect on an active warrant earlier this week.
According to reports from The Daytona Beach News-Journal, Y.W. faces multiple charges, including exploitation of the elderly for amounts between $20,000 and $100,000, grand theft exceeding $10,000 but under $20,000, and fraudulent use of personal identification.
The arrest was captured on video, with footage released by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. The video shows Y.W. seated at a gambling machine inside the cafe. Following her arrest, Y.W. was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail with her bail set at $60,000. Her court appearance date has yet to be announced, and it remains unclear if any of the stolen funds were used for gambling.
“In-home caretaker Y.W. has been arrested for the exploitation of a senior couple in DeLand. She gained the trust of her victims and used their credit cards and bank accounts to the tune of up to $100,000,” stated the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
Internet cafe or gambling venue?
A curious detail in the arrest video has sparked conversation online. The establishment where Y.W. was detained, referred to by authorities as an “internet cafe,” appeared to feature rows of gambling machines resembling slot machines, along with computers displaying online casino games. A large TV screen on the wall displayed various jackpot amounts.
The setup caught the attention of viewers on social media. One Facebook user commented, “Wait, I thought these were shut down a few months ago? So are they back open? I’m confused – are they legal or illegal?” The same user humorously asked if this was the same plaza as Bravo’s, hinting at familiarity with the location.
The incident has highlighted questions about the legality of such cafes, which operate in a gray area and are often scrutinized by authorities.
