Embezzlement and Elder Abuse Suspect Arrested 

July 4, 2024 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on April 17, 2024, deputies at the Perris Station received a call for service regarding a report of embezzlement. A victim made allegations that Toby Smith, 59-year-old from Nuevo, was given a large sum of money to invest on the victim’s behalf in 2022. However, as time passed, the victim did not see any investment returns, nor did the victim have access to the money they had invested.

The Perris Station Investigations Bureau assumed the investigation. During the investigation, numerous items of evidence were located to support the initial victim’s claims of embezzlement. Additionally, more victims were located, and it is believed the suspect stole close to $1,000,000 from his victims.

On July 3, 2024, Toby Smith was located and arrested for embezzlement, elder abuse, grand theft, and a white-collar sentencing enhancement. Toby Smith was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center.

This investigation is on-going. Anyone with additional information is urged to call Investigator Colmer at Riverside County Sheriff’s dispatch at (951) 776-1099, or the Perris Station at (951) 210-1000.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Chad Thompson

File# PC240810021

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office