Crime & Safety

Alleged Shyster Scammed Lake Elsinore Senior, Authorities Say

Since May, detectives had been conducting an investigation into Frankie Jay Szabo's alleged crimes.

A convicted felon accused of ripping off a senior citizen in Lake Elsinore says he didn’t commit the crime.

Frankie Jay Szabo, 55, of Menifee was arrested July 27 and pleaded not guilty Aug. 15 to two charges of stealing/embezzling from an elderly person, and two charges of grand theft.

Since May, detectives had been conducting an investigation into Szabo’s alleged crimes. In addition to being accused of stealing from a Lake Elsinore senior, investigators claim Szabo also scammed an elderly Homeland resident.

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Police maintain Szabo stole more than $50,000 from the seniors.

Court records show Szabo also goes by several aliases, including Mike Schwartz, Franklin Jay Szabo, Frank Jay Zzabo, and Frank Jay Szabo.

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He is currently behind bars at Southwest Detention Facility with bail set at $55,000, according to court records.

He is next due to appear Aug. 24 for a felony settlement conference.


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