Police offer tips to prevent theft at senior facilities
OLIVE BRANCH, Miss. — A Memphis man who exploited his position as a custodian to prey on the elderly is spending the next 18 years in prison, following a string of thefts at a local senior living facility that has sparked a renewed push for families to fortify the security of their loved ones.
Allen Williams, 65, was sentenced back in January, after being convicted of stealing wedding rings and heirloom jewelry from more than a dozen residents at Olive Branch’s Silvercreek Senior Living Community. DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton characterized the crimes as a “cowardly” breach of trust, noting that Williams used his custodial access to target residents at their most vulnerable.
While the 18-year sentence and subsequent 13 years of post-release supervision offer a measure of justice, local law enforcement leaders say the case serves as a stark reminder of the “crimes of opportunity” that can persist in care facilities.
“Olive Branch is very fortunate that we don’t have a lot of these types of cases,” said Lieutenant Ashley Holladay, head of the Criminal Investigations Division for the Olive Branch Police Department. “But nationwide, absolutely, this can be a common occurrence.”
The “Bulletproof” Investigation
The conviction of Williams was the result of what prosecutors described as a “bulletproof case” built by Olive Branch detectives. According to investigators, Williams stole from more than 12 residents, later pawning several items in Memphis. Some sentimental pieces were never recovered.
Barton credited the relentless work of detectives for ensuring Williams faced accountability. However, for the victims and their families, the emotional toll of losing irreplaceable mementos remains.
Deterrence Through Presence
In the wake of the Silvercreek incident, Lt. Holladay and Major Reginald Harris are urging families to take a more proactive, unpredictable role in the daily lives of residents.
“The best deterrent of any thief is presence,” Holladay said. “I would recommend coming by at different times. Don’t have a set schedule of every Tuesday at 3 o’clock… a thief that’s paying attention to patterns—that’s easy to pick out.”
Holladay noted that while facilities perform background checks and maintain external surveillance, privacy laws often prevent cameras from being placed inside private rooms. This creates a “loophole” that bad actors, including staff, contract workers, or even other visitors, can exploit.
Technical and Financial Safeguards
Major Harris emphasized that protection extends beyond physical items to legal and financial documents. He suggested that families ensure power of attorney is established and consider placing assets into a trust to prevent unauthorized changes to ownership.
“Make sure no paperwork has been changed over to somebody else’s name,” Harris said, adding that a “second set of eyes” on checking and savings accounts is the fastest way to detect suspicious activity.
To bridge the surveillance gap, Holladay suggested families install discreet “nanny cams” in private rooms and utilize modern technology like fingerprint safes. These devices allow seniors to secure valuables without the struggle of remembering complex combinations, which can be difficult for those experiencing cognitive decline.
Steps for Families
Law enforcement recommends a multi-layered defense for those with loved ones in assisted living:
- Documentation: Photograph all heirloom jewelry and record serial numbers for electronics.
- Credit Monitoring: Run periodic credit checks to ensure no unauthorized accounts have been opened in the senior’s name.
- Reporting: If an item goes missing, families should first contact the facility for an internal search. If the item is not located, a formal police report should be filed immediately to help detectives identify emerging patterns.
“Unfortunately, we don’t live in a day and age anymore where you can trust people at their word,” Holladay said. “They [seniors] absolutely are great targets for thieves.”
