Arraignment set for suspect accused of stealing from widow

A Costa Mesa man accused of stealing more than $280,000 from a blind and deaf woman who was suffering from dementia is to be arraigned Thursday morning at the Santa Ana Central Jail, according to court documents.

John Thomas Windsor is accused of stealing from a 98-year-old Newport Beach widow and using the money to buy a sex swing, a Tiffany & Co. engagement ring for his girlfriend and a classic record collection, according to a news release from the Orange County district attorney’s office.

The victim was living in her home with Windsor’s mother, who was hired as an independent caretaker at the time.

Windsor was also accused of trying to change the trust on the victim’s home and take out a loan against the house, the statement said. When bank employees became suspicious, they notified Adult Protective Services, according to the release.

The victim died of pneumonia in May 2009 at age 99.

— Lauren Williams