Amazon Alexa helps catch Florida man stealing from assisted living residents, police say

Police said an Amazon Alexa helped catch a man accused of stealing from at least three different elderly residents of Ormond Beach assisted living facilities.

Police said the device detected a man’s presence inside a room at Brookdale Assisted Living Facility on Dec. 22 and alerted the resident’s family. A family member responded to the facility, and police said the man, identified as Russell Bannister, was still inside the room.

Investigators said Bannister ran away from the scene after being confronted but was quickly stopped by police and arrested.

Police said Bannister entered the room without permission and stole the resident’s cash and credit cards. During the investigation, officers said they identified two additional assisted living residents in Ormond Beach who were victimized by Bannister.

All three of the residents were age 90 or older, police said.

Investigators said they believe Bannister has also targeted residents at different assisted living facilities in Volusia County.

“We are asking that family members please reach out to any loved ones who are staying in assisted living facilities in the area to ensure they have not been victimized by Bannister,” Ormond Beach police said in a news release.

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