Audrain County man charged with exploiting elderly couple

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Prosecutors charged a Mexico, Missouri, man Monday with five felonies for allegedly taking advantage of an elderly couple.

Investigators say Shane Bridwell moved in with the couple's granddaughter in 2019 and began stealing from them in 2020. A person with a durable power of attorney for one of the victims noticed money missing in their checking account in 2020 when one of the victims was outside the home for medical care, according to a probable cause statement.

Bridwell and the granddaughter changed the locks on their home and began selling the couple's belongings, the statement says. Investigators found forged checks made out to Bridwell and to an auto parts store, according to the statement.

Neighbors reportedly told police they saw Bridwell taking furniture from the home. The value of household items sold is estimated in the statement at more than $50,000.

Bridwell is charged with one count of financial exploitation of the elderly and four counts of forgery. Online court records show he was issued a summons to appear on Wednesday.