Nanaimo veteran, 93, says caregiver stole $570 in cash from his wallet

RCMP and Island Health are investigating after a 93-year-old veteran and his daughter claims they were robbed multiple times by a health care worker.

Susan Tye said her elderly father, Douglas Fairbanks, is diligent with his money so the pair were surprised when cash began to disappear from his wallet.

“We figure we know $570 for sure,” said Tye. “There was $200 missing on May 10, there was $300 that went missing on July 12 and on July 13 another $70.”

Once the $300 disappeared, the pair installed security cameras in the home.

They say they were shocked to see Fairbanks’ caregiver rummaging through an area where he keeps his wallet.

“It made me sick to my stomach,” Tye said.

Nanaimo RCMP confirmed it’s investigating the complaint, but officers aren’t commenting while it’s ongoing.

Island Health said it’s taking the concerns “very seriously” and said an internal investigation is underway, but it cannot discuss personnel issues.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

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  A 93-year-old veteran in Nanaimo alleges his caregiver has been stealing cash from his wallet right under his nose. Aug. 18, 2017. (CTV Vancouver Island)

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  Security cameras capture a caregiver rummaging through an area where 93-year-old Douglas Fairbanks keeps his wallet. The veteran says money has continually gone missing from his wallet since spring. (Courtesy Douglas Fairbanks)