Elderly Woman Helps Cops Bust San Leandro Scammer: Police

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A person targeted for a scam recently worked with Sonoma County police to catch the would-be thief — a San Leandro man — in the act, according to authorities.

Detectives with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office were notified that an elderly woman had received a scam call in which people tried to defraud her of $30,000, police said.

The woman worked with law enforcement, allowing detectives to watch as the thief stole what he thought was a box full of money from the victim, according to police.

Detectives arrested the man, identified as 43-year-old Ronghe Ruan, police said Monday, adding a search of his person and vehicle uncovered evidence of fraud from other cash scams.

Ruan was arrested and booked into Sonoma County jail Monday on suspicion of elder abuse, theft by false pretenses, conspiracy and grand theft, according to police.

“These types of cash scams are increasingly occurring all over the Bay Area and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office takes these crimes seriously,” the agency said in a social media post. “No one should ever call, text or email you asking for money.”