PLEASANTON, Calif. (AP) - A former Pinole police official and his wife are facing grand theft and elder abuse charges after authorities say they defrauded an 82-year-old Pleasanton woman by taking control of her finances.
Pleasanton police say on Friday they arrested Matthew Messier on suspicion of grand theft, elder abuse and other charges.
In announcing the arrests, police say the 36-year-old Messier, who lives in Pleasanton, used his position as a Pinole police commander to gain the trust of the woman.
The woman, who lived three doors away from Messier, suffered from what court records describe as a "diminished mental capacity" and an inability to make financial decisions.
Messier had worked for the Pinole Police Department until he resigned on Oct. 23. He was being held on $322,500 bail after pleading not guilty Friday.
A warrant has also been issued for his wife, 30-year-old Elizabeth Regalado.
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