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Houston Police Department
Update: Suspects Charged in Elderly Theft Case
June 17, 2011 - Charges have been filed against one suspect arrested and one who is wanted in the theft of more than $20,000 from an elderly citizen at 2727 Dunvale on March 11.
Betty Yonko (w/f, DOB: 10-15-61) and her son, Angelo Steven Yonko (w/m, DOB: 1-24-85), are charged with theft from elderly in the 339th State District Court. Betty Yonko is in custody, while Angelo remains at large. Photos of both suspects are attached to this news release.
Two other possible suspects remain at large.
On March 11, a female victim, 77, went shopping at the WalMart at 2727 Dunvale. When she exited the store, she was not able to locate her vehicle and four unknown male suspects offered to help her. The suspects convinced the female her car needed major repairs and to give them her keys. The suspects then persuaded the victim to accompany them to her bank, where she withdrew $10,000 and gave the suspects $8,000 for the repairs to her car. The suspects then took the victim, against her will, to the Plazamericas shopping center at Bellaire Boulevard and the Southwest Freeway (South U. S. Highway 59) and convinced her to charge more than $14,000 of jewelry to her credit card. The victim was then taken to her car and left behind the PetSmart pet store at Westheimer and Dunvale.
A preliminary investigation led to the discovery of the suspects' vehicle, a white Ford Explorer, in the area of Bellaire Boulevard and Gessner. Further investigation and witness statements identified Betty and Angelo Yonko as suspects in this case. Betty Yonko was arrested on Tuesday (June 14) without incident and has admitted her involvement in this case. Angelo Yonko is believed to have fled the State of Texas and remains at large.
Anyone with information in this case or on the whereabouts of Angelo Steven Yonko is urged to contact the HPD Major Offenders Division at 713-308-3100 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
Update: VHS/JFC 6-17-11
VHS/JKS 5-17-11
Inc. #030794811
For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.
