Man accused of stealing from elderly

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Mobile Police are looking for a man who they say drained thousands of dollars out of an elderly couple's bank account.

Police say 32-year-old Michael Mitchell stole more than $11,000 from 76-year-old Lucille Molpus and her husband.

"A Hispanic male went to the victim stating that he wanted to do some type of work, basically to ease his way into the residence by persuading the victim and actually stole her checkbook," said Officer Ron Wallace.

Molpus said she went to her bank to cash a check, and found out she only had $156 left in her account.

"He cashed a check almost every day for the whole month of January," said Molpus.

She said a few weeks before her checkbook was stolen, Mitchell started some repair work on her husband's van, but he never finished.

"He just messed it up. I've got to go have it painted now because of it," said Caleb Molpus.

When Mitchell went back to the couple's house the second time, they said he told them he planned to finish the work he started. But he wasn't alone.

Lucille Molpus said had a woman was with him, who he claimed was his wife. He also had three small children.

She said because it was so cold, she invited the woman and kids inside her home, while Mitchell worked on the car.

"The lady was looking at all the pictures of my grandchildren and things like that, I didn't really pay too much attention to her. I had all sorts of stuff piled over here. And I had just gotten a box of new checks and they were over there," said Lucille Molpus.

She said the woman stole one of the check books.

"They wrote every last single check and got everything they could. And didn't bat an eye," said Caleb Molpus.

Police want to warn everyone that Mitchell, and others like him are out there, preying on anyone nice enough to let him in their home, especially senior citizens.

"Senior citizens tend to be more helpful, they tend to give freely of their time and money, and you've just got to watch it. You can't just take people for granted. You've got to be careful who you let in your house," said Caleb Molpus.

Investigators don't believe the Molpus's are Michael Mitchell's only victims.

They say another victim identified Mitchell and his wife as the couple who stole jewelry and $90 from him.

Mobile Police say Mitchell is targeting all areas of Mobile. If he knocks on your door and wants to do work for you, do not let him in. Call police immediately.