LADY LAKE, Fla. — It was noted in an arrest affidavit that Powell is partially blind and can’t read without specialized equipment.
Police said the suspects demanded $900 up front and the victim continued to write them checks over the course of several weeks, but they never did any work.
The officer went to a Fruitland Park store where he believed Widows tried to cash one of the checks.
Widows happened to walk into the store while the officer was talking to the manager, and the officer showed Widows a copy of the check.
Widows told the officer Powell’s signature was not hers and that he wrote and cashed the check for a friend, but refused to say who, according to an arrest affidavit.
A man who was with Widows, Oscar Freeman, had also been given a personal check by Powell for $600, which he said was for cleaning the driveway, the affidavit said.
Powell told officers she didn’t remember writing any of the checks and never saw anything needing repair.
Widows was arrested on eight charges of exploiting the elderly.
Investigators said the suspects have been arrested for similar crimes in the past and both have served jail time.
Cox Media Group
