A female is facing several charges after abusing her status as power of attorney to defraud an elderly female in Beaverton.
In August 2024, members of North Division responded to a fraud call at Lakeview Manor located at 133 Main Street, after being contacted by staff. Police were informed that several payments for a resident’s stay were outstanding and in arrears of over $10,000. An investigation by the Older Adult Support and Investigative Services Unit (OASIS) was started into the resident’s power of attorney, who took on the role prior to 2016 and was responsible for all of the victim’s payments.
Investigators from the OASIS Unit determined the suspect used approximately $73,000 of the victim’s funds without their knowledge, including withdrawing over $37,000 in cash and spending more than $8,000 on merchandise for herself.
On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the suspect was located and taken into custody without incident.
The suspect and victim are known to each other.
Laura Doreen CROFT, age 53 from Brock is charged with: Possess Credit Card Not Authorized, Use Credit Card Data Not Authorized, Theft by Person Holding Power of Attorney, Fraud Over $5000, and Possess Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000.
She was released on an Undertaking.
The Older Adult Support and Investigative Services Unit (OASIS) provides investigative and social support to residents of Durham Region who are at least 65 years of age, vulnerable, or who have been a victim of a criminal offence.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Raposo of the Older Adult Support and Investigative Services Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5617.
Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.
The information in this media release contains facts and circumstances that have been obtained from a police investigation. These allegations have yet to be proven in court.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
