SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane police arrested a hospice facility caregiver Wednesday on charges she stole debit cards from dying patients and their visiting family members to buy lottery tickets.
Leena Anderson faces charges of second-degree identity theft, possession of stolen property and money laundering in connection with thefts at an unnamed Spokane hospice facility.
The Spokane Police Special Investigations Unit launched the investigation several weeks ago after learning of several related thefts from victims at the hospice facility. Investigators determined Anderson was the only employee working during the time frame when all three thefts happened.
The hospice facility immediately placed Anderson on leave pending the investigation’s outcome.
According to police, Anderson stole debit cards belonging to people dying in the facility or family members visiting patients. She then used the stolen cards to purchase lottery tickets at various stores and gas stations throughout Spokane before redeeming the tickets for cash.
Police connected Anderson to the three separate theft cases through their investigation, leading to her arrest Tuesday.
Investigators believe there are more victims who have not yet reported thefts to authorities. Police are asking anyone who had a loved one in a Spokane hospice facility and later discovered suspicious charges on bank account records to come forward.
Police want to hear from families who noticed unexplained cash ATM withdrawals or Washington Lottery charges on their accounts. These individuals should report the incidents to Crime Check at 509-456-2233 and request that the report be flagged for Detective L. Taylor.
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