Filipino caregiver wanted for alleged $193K theft in Maryland

Suspect Alexander Manguiam

BETHESDA, Maryland – Police in Montgomery County believe that a Filipino caregiver, who was arrested for allegedly stealing $193,000 from an elderly couple and fled after posting bail bond, is now hiding in the Philippines.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department has issued an active arrest warrant for Alexander Manguiam, 46, who was already facing charges of theft scheme $100,000+, theft $100,000+ and stealing property of a vulnerable adult, according to an August 25 WJLA (ABC7) report.

Manguiam was reportedly hired in February 2010 to care for a Bethesda couple then in their late 80s in declining health. The husband passed away in February 2013. His wife was confined to a bed and wheelchair but is still alive today.

In September 2013, Wells Fargo Bank’s financial crimes unit contacted Montgomery County Police after flagging a forged check Manguiam had deposited in his personal account.

After an investigation, detectives found that Manguiam allegedly altered 44 of his paychecks, for instance, in one case he turned a check for $1,630 into $4,630.

In 21 other instances, Manguiam allegedly stole checks from the elderly couple’s dining room cupboard drawer and later made them out to himself. The grand total stolen over three years was $193,608.

Police arrested Manguiam in December 2014. He later posted bond and moved into a friend’s Silver Spring home while awaiting trial.

But Manguiam did not show up for his August 7, court date at Montgomery County Circuit Court. He had to surrender his Filipino passport prior to posting bond, but authorities fear Manguiam still managed to flee to the Philippines.

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/inquirerUSA?fref=ts&ref=br_tf