POLICE: New Albany man scammed elderly woman out of thousands

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A New Albany man is accused of scamming an elderly woman out of thousands of dollars, according to police. Louisville Metro Police say Timothy Yates was supposed to be helping an elderly woman, but instead he scammed her our of over $24,000 of her money.

Police issued an arrest warrant for Timothy Yates on March 22nd and Monday he turned himself in.

In a quiet New Albany neighborhood, residents say they're shocked about allegations against one of their own. Police say Yates is charged with scamming a woman in her early 80's out of more than $24,000 between June of 2011 and July of 2012. After a police investigation, a warrant was issued last month.

Carey Klain, an LMPD Spokeswoman says, "Initially the lady had asked for help and this individual Mr. Yates started helping her, buying her groceries, started assisting her around the house, in which case she started writing him checks and she wrote him checks for whatever he said the services required."

According to the warrant, police say Yates got the victim to write him several checks for one and three thousand dollars with the subject line "groceries."

His daughter tells WDRB, that the family has known the woman for years, as her father had been helping her out. But his daughter says she doesn't know anything about her father allegedly taking money.

Police say the two knew each other because Yates was the woman's dance instructor in 1993.

A manager in the woman's apartment building off of South Fourth Street knew something was wrong, when the woman didn't have enough money to pay for rent.

Klain says, "In this situation, it's very good that there was someone else out there looking out for her and was able to bring it to our attention."

Yates' attorney Jason Segeleon says it's too early to comment or discuss specifics.

Residents say Yates is a good neighbor, friendly, and smart and allegations against him come as a complete shock.

Klain says, "Obviously there are people who prey on the innocent victims and the people that are the easiest to take from and in this case, it was a female who relied on him for some services and she was very trusting."

Yates plead not guilty in court to the charge of knowingly exploiting an adult. He was released from jail on a $1000 cash bond. His next court date is on May 1st.