DELAND, Fla. — Authorities in Florida are searching for a man they believe used a 78-year-old woman’s bank card to spend more than $17,000 worth of guitars, musical equipment and more.
According to a news release from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Mystery Shiloh Demarest, 49, used the victim’s bank card to buy 11 guitars, musical equipment, airfare and a hotel room.
Deputies said the woman allowed Demarest to move into her DeLand home in May 2019 to assist her while she cared for her husband, WFTV reported. The woman gave Demarest her bank card to purchase household items, according to the television station.
Shortly after Demarest moved in, the victim noticed large packages delivered to her home with the man’s name on them, the sheriff’s office said. Demarest said that his girlfriend was responsible and that he would return the merchandise for a refund.
The woman told deputies she believed Demarest but lost contact with him.
However, after checking her bank records, the victim noticed 11 charges at GuitarAttic and Reverb.com, none of which were refunded, the sheriff’s office said in its release. In addition, there was a $318.93 charge at a storage unit in DeLand, according to the release.
The victim checked with the storage company, where officials said the rent was past due and the items in the unit were headed to an online auction, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies executed a search warrant and discovered 11 Gibson Les Paul guitars, two Marshall reverb boards, seven large speakers, a drum set and several music stands, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies continue to search for Demarest. They believe he could be in the Raleigh, North Carolina, area, where he traveled using the victim’s money.