WATERBORO — A Saco woman who was supposed to be helping a blind, elderly man allegedly helped herself to his money instead, according to York County Sheriff Bill King.

Susan Sajecki, 52, was taken into custody by Sheriff’s Depart-ment Waterboro Patrol Deputy Shawn Sanborn about 7 p.m. Monday.

She is charged with Class B felony theft of more than $37,000 in cash and credit card expenditures. Sajecki was taken to York County Jail, where she remained this morning in lieu of $5,000 cash bail.

King, in a telephone interview Monday night, said the victim is a Saco resident ”“ the case was investigated and pursued by the Sheriff’s Office because of information developed by Sanborn through connections in Waterboro.

King said the Sheriff’s Office received information about some suspicious checks drawn from an elderly man’s account ”“ the checks were made out to Sajecki, the volunteer who had offered to help the man, and a family member. The incidents have allegedly be going since February. As the investigation developed, it revealed that unauthorized purchases were also made on his credit card.

“A quick analysis showed that the man had unauthorized bank account withdrawals and charges to his credit card in excess of $37,000,” King said in a prepared statement.

The sheriff said the victim had not authorized either the checks or credit card expenditures.

Sanborn located Sajecki at her home and took her to York County Jail, where he interviewed her about the suspected theft. King said the woman allegedly confessed to stealing the money and offered to make restitution.

Sajecki is held on $5,000 cash bail on the theft charge and on about $645 in warrants charging she had not paid fines in connection with a prior operating after suspension charge.

Upon conviction, a Class B felony theft by unauthorized taking charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.