Healthcare worker steals credit card, checks from elderly Pa. woman, police say

A home healthcare worker is accused of stealing a credit card and checks from an elderly woman who hired her to take care of her disabled daughter.

Emontrea Lewis, 30, of Philadelphia, is charged with conspiracy – forgery – unauthorized act in writing, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and access device issued to another who did not authorize use.  

The investigation began on Nov. 8, 2025, when a 94-year-old woman from Abington Township, Pennsylvania, reported to police that she had been the victim of fraud.

The woman told police her credit card and checkbooks had been stolen. The culprit had made several unauthorized purchases in Philadelphia on Oct. 12, 2025, as well as six purchases at the King of Prussia Mall in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 13 totaling $647.08, according to the criminal complaint.

The woman later told investigators that 12 of her stolen checks had been cashed without her permission between September 2025 and November 2025, totaling $6300.

The woman suspected the person who stole her credit card and checks was Emontrea Lewis, a former home healthcare worker who she had hired to take care of her disabled daughter, according to the criminal complaint. Investigators said Lewis continued working at the woman’s home even after her employment ended with the company that was handling her daughter’s care.

Investigators obtained surveillance video from the Canada Goose store at the King of Prussia Mall showing a man and woman using the victim’s credit card back on Oct. 13, 2026, officials said. Investigators later identified the woman as Lewis and the man as 30-year-old Akeem Williams of Philadelphia.

Police determined Lewis stole the victim’s purse which contained her credit cards and checkbooks. Lewis and Williams used the victim’s stolen credit card while Williams and two other men used a mobile app to deposit 12 of the victim’s stolen checks into their accounts, totaling $6300, according to the criminal complaint.

Lewis was arrested and taken into custody. She was arraigned on Tuesday, March 3, and her preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12, 2026. Online court records don’t list an attorney who could speak on her behalf.

Williams was charged with forgery, conspiracy, receiving stolen property and other related offenses. Police continue to search for him.

Police advise anyone who hires workers to enter their homes to put away their valuable items and be mindful of thefts and scams.