MESA, AZ — A Mesa man is accused of harassing and stealing about $700,000 from his 78-year-old mother.
Mesa police report that on October 29, Luis Roman Soto, 42, was served with an order of protection by his 78-year-old mother. In the following three days, police say, Soto sent 77 text messages and 20 voicemail calls to her. Police say the victim fled to a friend's home in another county to feel safe.
In the messages, he allegedly berated her, saying she was a "bad mother" and a "snitch" for throwing him out on the street. He also reportedly said, "I guess I never had a mom."
Court records show that the victim told Adult Protective Services that Soto took about $700,000 from her "by taking her money from her paychecks over the last 19 years as she goes hungry."
On November 1, Soto was pulled over while driving on a suspended license. The officer saw his mother in the car with him. She reportedly told police that he forced her to come with him to get his girlfriend's "per capita Indian reservation money" while she is in jail.
Soto has been charged with aggravated harassment and vulnerable adult abuse.
