Missing Woman: Sara Mowry--CA--01/13/2009

[Jenn]

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/mowry-amormino-disappearance-2281418-home-investigators

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Woman disappears, but leaves her walker behind
Investigators say suspicious activity in a woman's financial accounts occurred before she went missing this week.



LAGUNA NIGUEL – Investigators are looking into the mysterious disappearance of an 82-year-old woman, who went missing from her home this week but left behind several personal and vital belongings.

Details surrounding the disappearance of Sara Mowry from her home, an assisted care facility located at 25501 Camino los Padres, do not add up and authorities said they are concerned for her well-being. Investigators have also discovered inconsistencies in her personal financial accounts, making her disappearance highly suspicious, they said.

Mowry, described as an alert and sharp woman who uses a walker, talked to her son Monday, said Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Her son tried to contact her Tuesday, but was unable to reach her.

Back in her home, Mowry left behind her walker, hearing aide and medication, Amormino said.

"It's not a case where she got up and walked away," he said.

Mowry cannot walk without assistance, he said. She is also not suffering from any mental illnesses and was described as "very sharp" and aware.

"This is highly suspicious," Amormino said.

While investigating her disappearance, authorities also discovered "inconsistencies" in her financial accounts, transactions that occurred before she went missing, Amormino said. Pending the ongoing investigation, he said he could not go into details.

Investigators are also looking to find a 2002 Toyota Tacoma truck, which is believed to be connected with her disappearance, he said. The truck has a license plate of 6WO1148.

When asked what connection the truck had to Mowry, Amormino said he could not provide details at the time.

Anyone with information is asked to call 866-TIP-OCSD or 866-847-6273.

[Jenn]

http://www.ktla.com/landing_news/?Police-Elderly-Womans-Disappearance-Extr=1&blockID=185527&feedID=171

Police: Elderly Woman's Disappearance Extremely Suspicious

January 14, 2009

SANTA ANA -- Investigators say the disappearance of an 82-year old woman from a Laguna Niguel assisted living home is suspicious.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department is looking for a Toyota Tacoma with a camper shell, which officials hope will lead them to Sara Mowry who was reported missing by her son on Tuesday.

Jim Amormino of the Sheriff's Department says Mowry's son went to check on her at the facility at 25501 Camino Los Padres but she was not there. Left behind was her walker, hearing aid, purse and medications.

 "It would be highly unusual for her to leave without those things," Amormino said, adding that Mowry has "extreme difficulty walking without her walker."
     
Investigators are looking for a 2002 Toyota Tacoma truck with a camper shell and license plate of 6W01148.
     
"It may or may not be involved in the disappearance," Amormino said.
     
Amormino stressed that the case is not one in which a person suffers from dementia or Alzheimer's disease and wanders away. 
     
"The circumstances are extremely suspicious," he said. "There are some inconsistencies in her checking account."
     
Anyone who sees the truck was asked to call (866) TIP-OCSD.

[Jenn]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-missing15-2009jan15,0,4035601.story

Woman, 82, missing from Laguna Niguel assisted living home
Orange County sheriff's homicide officials say Sara Mowry's disappearance is 'highly suspicious.'

12:11 PM PST, January 14, 2009

Orange County sheriff's homicide officials today are investigating the "highly suspicious" disappearance of an 82-year-old grandmother from her assisted living home in Laguna Niguel.

Sara Mowry was reported missing Tuesday by her son when he could not contact her by phone, then did not find her at her home in the 25500 block of Camino los Padres, said Orange County Sheriff's Department Spokesman Jim Amormino. Mowry's son had last spoken to her Monday night, Amormino said.

"She has difficulty walking and she, according to him, never leaves without her walker," Amormino said. "Well the walker's there, her hearing aids are there, her purse is there, and her medications are there. So that's highly suspicious."

Amormino stressed that Mowry does not have dementia or any other medical conditions that could contribute to her disappearance. He said Mowry has suffered some "inconsistencies" regarding her checking account, but he said he could not be more specific.

Authorities are looking for a silver 2002 Toyota Tacoma pickup with a shell and California license plate 6W01148 but declined to say how the vehicle might be connected to Mowry's disappearance. Mowry is described as white, 5 feet, 4 inches tall, 145 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes, Amormino said.

Anyone with information is asked to call or (866) 847-6273.

[Jenn]

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/orange_county&id=6604270

Cops: Woman's disappearance is suspicious

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (KABC) -- Orange County detectives on Wednesday are calling an elderly woman's disappearance in Laguna Niguel suspicious.

Sara Mowry, 82, lives at the senior community at 25501 Camino Los Padres in Laguna Niguel, but her son became very worried when he couldn't get a hold of her on Tuesday.

Police said when her son entered her apartment, there was no sign of her. She left behind medication, her hearing aid, her purse and her walker that she used to get around.

A wheelchair that she rarely used was missing, but the leg supports to it were left behind, something she would have needed if she were using it.

 Authorities are also looking for a 2002 silver Toyota Tacoma that has a camper shell on the back, with license plate of 6W01148. Police said it is not her vehicle and are unsure if it is related to her disappearance, but they want to locate it.

Authorities are also not saying much about some missing money.

"There are some inconsistencies in her checking account, that's all I can say at this stage of the investigation," said Jim Amormino from the O.C. Sheriff's Department.

Mowry was last seen on Monday night. She is 5 feet, 4 inches tall, about 145 pounds, with brown eyes and gray hair.

Authorities said she does not suffer from dementia, so it is unlikely she wandered off on her own.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Orange County Sheriff's Department at (866) TIP-OCSD.

[LoriDavis]

http://www.ktla.com/landing_topstories/?Elderly-Womans-Disappearance-Called-Susp=1&blockID=185527&feedID=1198

Elderly Woman's Disappearance Called 'Suspicious'
RSS KTLA News
January 15, 2009

SANTA ANA -- Investigators say the disappearance of an 82-year old woman from a Laguna Niguel assisted living home is suspicious.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department is looking for a Toyota Tacoma with a camper shell, which officials hope will lead them to Sara Mowry who was reported missing by her son on Tuesday.

Jim Amormino of the Sheriff's Department says Mowry's son went to check on her at the facility at 25501 Camino Los Padres but she was not there. Left behind was her walker, hearing aid, purse and medications.

 "It would be highly unusual for her to leave without those things," Amormino said, adding that Mowry has "extreme difficulty walking without her walker."
     
Investigators are looking for a 2002 Toyota Tacoma truck with a camper shell and license plate of 6W01148.
     
"It may or may not be involved in the disappearance," Amormino said.
     
Amormino stressed that the case is not one in which a person suffers from dementia or Alzheimer's disease and wanders away. 
     
"The circumstances are extremely suspicious," he said. "There are some inconsistencies in her checking account."
     
Anyone who sees the truck was asked to call (866) TIP-OCSD.

[LoriDavis]

http://www.ktla.com/landing_news/?New-Development-in-Elderly-Womans-Myster=1&blockID=185527&feedID=171

New Development in Elderly Woman's Mysterious Disappearance
RSS KTLA News
January 15, 2009

SANTA ANA -- Police in Orange County say they have found the truck believed to be involved in the suspicious disappearance of an 82-year-old woman from a Laguna Niguel assisted living home.

The sheriff's department is still actively searching for Sara Mowry who was reported missing by her son on Tuesday.

Investigators had been looking for a 2002 Toyota Tacoma with a camper shell, which was found Wednesday night in the Santa Ana area, officials said. 

Police say the truck was being driven by a friend of Mowry's grandson at the time.

The truck has been taken to a crime lab to be analyzed. 

It was not immediately known if police had any suspects.

Jim Amormino of the Sheriff's Department says Mowry's son last spoke to his mother on Monday and when went to check on her at the facility at 25501 Camino Los Padres the next day, she was not there.

Suspiciously left behind was her walker, hearing aid, purse and medications.

"It would be highly unusual for her to leave without those things," Amormino said, adding that Mowry has "extreme difficulty walking without her walker."

Amormino stressed that the case is not one in which a person suffers from dementia or Alzheimer's disease and wanders away. 
     
"The circumstances are extremely suspicious," he said. "There are some inconsistencies in her checking account."
     
Anyone with information in the disappearance was asked to call (866) TIP-OCSD.

[LoriDavis]

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/mowry-authorities-linked-2281989-disappearance-amormino

Truck linked to missing 82-year-old woman found
A truck was found Wednesday night, but the elderly woman has still not been located, authorities say.
Thursday, January 15, 2009

By SALVADOR HERNANDEZ
The Orange County Register

LAGUNA NIGUEL
A silver Toyota Tacoma linked to the unexplained disappearance of an elderly woman was found late Wednesday night, but investigators said they still don't know where 82-year-old Sara Mowry is.

"As more time passes by and no one hears from her, the possibility of foul play increases," said Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Mowry went missing from her home at an assisted care facility at 25501 Camino los Padres and authorities said they found suspicious activity linked to her personal financial accounts.

On Wednesday night, a sheriff's deputy pulled over a silver Toyota Tacoma truck linked to her disappearance in Santa Ana, Amormino said. The truck was being driven by an acquaintance of Mowry's grandson.

Investigators this morning said they could not provide details regarding the car because of the ongoing investigation, besides that the truck was located and currently being searched for physical evidence, Amormino said.

The name of the driver was not immediately released.

Mowry was described as a sharp woman who needs the assistance of a walker to get around. Her son talked to her over the phone Monday, but was unable to find her Tuesday, Amormino said.

Investigators have found several personal items that Mowry would have normally taken with her, but were instead left behind, such as her walker, hearing aide, medication and purse. Inconsistencies that occurred in her accounts before she went missing make her disappearance highly suspicious, Amormino said.

Authorities said they were looking for a truck with a license plate 6WO1148, but would not say how it was linked to her disappearance.

Anyone with information is asked to call 866-TIP-OCSD or 866-847-6273.

[Jenn]

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-missing16-2009jan16,0,2073192.story

Brea landfill is searched for missing woman
Sara Mowry, 82, of Laguna Niguel disappeared this week. O.C. sheriff's officials impound a pickup truck that might be linked to the case.

January 16, 2009

Authorities on Thursday began searching a Brea landfill with earthmovers and a cadaver dog in an attempt to find an 82-year-old grandmother who vanished this week.

The son of Sara Mowry reported her missing from her Laguna Niguel assisted-living home Tuesday, said Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino.

About 20 investigators arrived at the landfill, in the 1900 block of Valencia Avenue, at midday, acting on an investigative lead, officials said. Amormino declined to elaborate.

The investigation has not been labeled a homicide; Mowry is considered a "critical" missing person who disappeared "under highly suspicious circumstances," Amormino said. No suspects have been named.

The search was suspended after sunset Thursday, but as many as 50 law enforcement officers are expected to return at 7 a.m. today, with a second cadaver dog from San Diego.

"Literally, they're going through the trash piece by piece," Amormino said. "It's going to be a long, painstaking process."

Wednesday night, Orange County sheriff's officials found a pickup truck that they say might be linked to Mowry's disappearance. Authorities impounded it in Santa Ana after pulling over the driver, an acquaintance of Mowry's grandson and a parolee at large.

The driver, in his 20s, was arrested on an unrelated charge, Amormino said. The truck will be examined for any evidence.

According to the son, Amormino said, Sara Mowry never left home without her walker. But "the walker's there, her hearing aids are there, her purse is there, and her medications are there. So that's highly suspicious."

Amormino said that Mowry had suffered some "inconsistencies" regarding her checking account but that he could not be more specific. She is described as white, 5 feet 4 and 145 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call (866) 847-6273.

[Jenn]

http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=9684528&nav=9qrx

Officials search landfill for missing OC woman

Associated Press - January 16, 2009 12:34 AM ET

BREA, Calif. (AP) - Detectives have been combing a Brea landfill in the search for an 82-year-old woman who was reported missing from an Orange County assisted living facility.

Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino says investigators began searching the landfill late Thursday afternoon but had to stop because of darkness.The search will resume Friday.

Amormino says Sara Mowry left behind her walker, purse, hearing aids and medication at the home in Laguna Niguel, making it unlikely that she left on her own.

Mowry's son reported her missing on Tuesday when he called her and she didn't answer, then visited the home and couldn't find her.

Amormino says authorities were acting on an "investigative lead" when they went to the landfill, but he did not elaborate.

[Jenn]

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Massive-Landfill-Search-Planned-for-Thursday-Morning-in-Effort-to-Find-Missing-OC-Grandmother.html


Landfill Search Resumes for Missing Grandmother

Updated 7:38 AM PST, Fri, Jan 16, 2009


Sara Mowry's DMV photo. Anyone with information on Mowry's whereabouts is asked to call (866) TIP-OCSD.
 
LAGUNA NIGUEL -- Crews resumed combing through a Brea landfill Friday in a search for an 82-year-old woman whose disappearance from an assisted-care facility is regarded by authorities as highly suspicious.
Watch Video

Some 50 searchers -- including a search and rescue team -- will be using cadaver dogs as they go through the landfill near the 1900 block of Valencia Avenue, said Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino.

Sara Mowry, described as mentally sharp, was reported missing Tuesday by her son when he went to check on her at an assisted-care facility at 25501 Camino Los Padres, Amormino said.

Authorities were acting on an "investigative lead" when they went to the landfill Thursday afternoon, but Amormino did not elaborate on what drew them there. He said the search was called off due to darkness without anything
connected to the case having been found.

The more time passes without Mowry surfacing, the greater the possibility that she fell victim to foul play, he said.

Mowry, who last spoke to her son on Monday, left behind her walker, hearing aid, purse and medications, Amormino said.           

"It would be highly unusual for her to leave without those things," he said, adding that Mowry cannot walk without assistance.

A silver 2002 Toyota Tacoma truck with a camper shell that investigators said may be involved in the case was found and impounded, Amormino said. The truck belongs to Mowry's grandson, who lent it to a friend, he said, adding
that it was being examined for clues.

Mowry does not have dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or any other medical conditions that could contribute to her disappearance, according to Amormino.

Investigators have said some inconsistencies were found in her checking account, leading them to assess the circumstances of her disappearance as "extremely suspicious," Amormino said.

Anyone with information on Mowry's whereabouts was asked to call 866-847-6273.

[LoriDavis]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-missing17-2009jan17,0,5608469.story

Search continues at Brea landfill in case of missing woman, 82

Sara Mowry of Laguna Hills disappeared from an assisting-living home this week. Homicide investigators are searching for the possible remains or other evidence.
By Tony Barboza
1:12 PM PST, January 16, 2009

Homicide investigators today resumed searching a soccer field-size patch of a landfill in Brea for the possible remains of a missing Laguna Niguel woman.

A dozen investigators and three earth movers dug through the Olinda Alpha Landfill in the 1900 block of Valencia Avenue, hoping to recover evidence or the body of 82-year-old Sara Mowry, who disappeared from her assisted-living home Tuesday.
 
The investigation has not been deemed a homicide, and authorities still consider Mowry a missing person who vanished under "highly suspicious circumstances," said Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino.

"It is my sincere hope that she is alive and well somewhere," he said today, adding that no suspects had been named.

Mowry's son reported her missing Tuesday.

The search through 6,000 tons of garbage is likely to take days. "We have a long way to go," Amormino said.

With the help of landfill employees and a global positioning system, law enforcement has been able to isolate trash dumped from near the Laguna Niguel location earlier this week, spotting mail addressed to places near Mowry's home.

"This is the closest one comes to really looking for a needle in a haystack," said Julie Chay, spokeswoman for the county-owned facility.

The search began Thursday afternoon with heavy equipment and a cadaver dog.

On Wednesday night, Orange County sheriff's officials found a pickup truck that they say might be linked to Mowry's disappearance. Authorities impounded it in Santa Ana after pulling over the driver, an acquaintance of Mowry's grandson and a parolee at large.

The driver, in his 20s, was arrested on an unrelated charge, Amormino said. The truck will be examined for any evidence.

The last person to see Mowry -- on Monday night -- was her grandson, an Orange County resident in his 20s.

According to Mowry's son, Amormino said, she never left home without her walker. But "the walker's there, her hearing aids are there, her purse is there, and her medications are there. So that's highly suspicious."

Amormino said that Mowry had suffered some "inconsistencies" regarding her checking account but that he could not be more specific. She is described as white, 5 feet 4 and 145 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call (866) 847-6273.

[Jenn]

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/mowry-truck-amormino-2287179-authorities-investigators

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Missing woman's fate looks 'grim,' authorities say

More than a week after 82-year-old Sara Mowry disappeared from her Laguna Niguel home, leaving behind her walker, medication and purse, authorities said the chances of finding her alive and well are "grim."

Investigators have found no evidence indicating that Mowry has been hurt, but her whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance eight days ago are still unknown, said Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

"It's been over a week," he said. "The more time goes on the possibility increases that she's been the victim of foul play."

Authorities are investigating a number of leads, but her location is still unknown, he said. Forensic investigators are also going through a truck that was found last week and may be linked to her disappearance.

"We'll see if the truck sheds any light," he said.

Mowry was last seen by her grandson Monday night at about 9:30 p.m., Amormino said. His silver Toyota Tacoma truck was seen near Mowry's home that day.

The following day, Mowry's son tried contacting her without success. Investigators searched Mowry's home, finding her walker, prescription medication, hearing aid and purse. Authorities also found suspicious activity linked to her personal financial accounts that occurred before her disappearance, although authorities would not specify.

Mowry was described as an alert woman who needs her walker to move around.

Last week, authorities asked for the public's help in finding Mowry and the silver truck.

The truck was found in Santa Ana by a deputy who was conducting a traffic stop Jan. 21, Amormino said. A friend of Mowry's grandson, a parolee, was taken into custody on an unrelated charge. Mowry's grandson had lent him the truck.

At this time, investigators have no suspects connected to Mowry's disappearance, Amormino said.

On Thursday and Friday, more than a dozen deputies and two cadaver dogs searched a Brea landfill for Mowry's body, checking up on suspicions that her body might have been thrown in a trash bin in Laguna Hills or Dana Point.

Still, investigators do not have solid evidence that Mowry is dead, Amormino said.

"It looks grim," he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 866-TIP-OCSD or 866-847-6273.

[Jenn]

Charlie Project Profile for Sara: http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/m/mowrey_sara.html

Please note there are alternate spellings in print for Sara's name:
Sara Jo Mowrey
Sara Powell Mowrey
or Sara "Mowry"

[LoriDavis]

MAN CONVICTED OF STEALING OVER $900,000 FROM INVESTORS IN PONZI SCHEME BY FALSELY PROMISING TO FLIP HOMES FOR A PROFIT

Posted Date: 5/20/2011 3:38:21 PM

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Immediate Release
Case #10SF0129

May 20, 2011

*Defendant also stole $6,100 in social security benefits from his 82-year-old missing-person mother

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of stealing over $900,000 from investors in a Ponzi scheme by fraudulently promising to buy, refurbish, and re-sell distressed homes for a profit. William Warren Baker, 59, Laguna Nigel, pleaded guilty to 13 felony counts of using untrue statements in the purchase or sale of securities and one felony count of grand theft from the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) with sentencing enhancements and allegations for loss over $100,000, aggravated white collar crime over $500,000, and property damage over $150,000. He faces a sentence of up to 10 years in state prison at his sentencing July 15, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-40, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

A Ponzi scheme is when investors are offered high, short-term returns on investments, but instead of the investments generating actual income and legitimate profits, the money from the investors is kept for the benefit of the defendant or used to repay earlier investors.

Between Jan. 20, 2006, and May 7, 2008, Baker took over $900,000 from at least 10 investors that he met through church, friends, and other personal relationships. The defendant told investors that their money would be used to buy and refurbish distressed homes, which he could then sell for a profit. Baker issued unqualified stock certificates in exchange for investor funds.

The defendant failed to purchase a property to be renovated and flipped as promised to his investors. Baker instead purchased a property for himself and transferred the property into a trust belonging to his son. He later transferred the property into a trust belonging to his wife. Baker used investor money for personal expenses or to pay back old investors from previous ventures.

In January 2009, Baker’s 82-year-old mother Sara Jo Mowery went missing. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) began investigating her disappearance and uncovered the Ponzi scheme in the course of the investigation. Following a lengthy investigation into the fraud, Baker was arrested in March 2010.

While Baker was in custody for the Ponzi scheme, OCSD found that the defendant has been stealing from SSA. Baker had set up a previously undiscovered joint bank account Mowery containing social security benefits intended for his mother. After his mother’s disappearance, Baker began illegally withdrawing the funds from that account, stealing $6,100 in all. By law, in the event that a social security recipient goes missing, the SSA funds are to cease being provided to any beneficiary until the missing person is found or pronounced deceased.

Mowery is still a missing person and the investigation into her disappearance is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts should contact OCSD or their local police department.

Deputy District Attorney Marc Labreche of the Major Fraud Unit is prosecuting this case.   

[LoriDavis]

Man gets 10 years for Ponzi scheme, stealing benefits

August 26, 2011 | 3:07 p.m.

A Laguna Niguel man was sentenced to 10 years in prison Friday for stealing more than $900,000 from investors in a Ponzi scheme involving false promises to purchase, fix up and sell distressed homes to make a profit.

William Warren Baker, 59, also pleaded guilty to one felony county of grand theft from the U.S. Social Security Administration. He stole $6,100 worth of Social Security benefits intended for his mother, Sara Jo Mowery, 82, after she went missing in January 2009.

Baker took money from at least 10 investors between Jan. 20, 2006, and May 7, 2008.

Read more: http://www.coastlinepilot.com/news/tn-cpt-0902-baker-20110826,0,2659238.story