Episode 11 of the seventh season of Seinfeld was “The Rye.” While it also brought the fictional Beef-A-Reeno into our lexicon, its main plot revolved around the need to acquire a loaf of marble rye in order to avoid a potential lifetime of strife between George’s parents and his fiancée Susan’s parents. Jerry attempted to do his friend a solid and went to Schnitzer’s Bakery to get one, but an old woman (played by the wonderful Frances Bay) bought the last one. After an unsuccessful attempt to buy it from her, Jerry eventually mugged her on the sidewalk, stealing the rye.
That was funny because it was both fictional and ridiculous, punctuated by the equally ridiculous line, “Shut up you old bag!”
This is all to state the obvious: stealing from an elderly woman in real life is near the peak of scumbaggery.
On Wednesday, the Butte County (California) Sheriff’s Office announced that a third person was arrested in conjunction with the robbery of an elderly woman at Gold Country Casino. The casino in located in Oroville, about 70 miles due north of Sacramento.
The first two suspects were arrested earlier this month. 49-year-old Regina Brito and her son, 30-year-old Daniel Braziel, are charged with robbery and elder abuse for an incident that occurred on Tuesday, September 30 at the casino.
It was a common scene at Gold Country Casino, a senior citizen was plugging away at one of the gaming machines. Brito and Braziel not only saw her, but found out she had won $4,500. The woman put the money in her purse and sat down once again at a machine.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Braziel approached her, shoved her, and “forcefully” stole the money and other items. He fled the scene.
Law enforcement officials were able to find Braziel on the casino’s security footage running out of the casino and into the passenger’s seat of a car in the parking lot. The driver of the car was his mother.
The following day, detectives arrested Brito and found the stolen items. That night, they arrested Braziel and found even more evidence.
The third person, arrested on Wednesday, was 32-year-old Jeremy Bowman. Bowman used the victim’s credit cards to make about $1,000 in purchases. I mean, really, did he not think police could trace a credit card purchase? I guess I shouldn’t assume he is very bright, considering he conspired with someone who mugged an old lady.
Bowman was charged with identity theft and possession of stolen property.
