Father and son charged with theft and exploitation of elderly

A father and son have been charged with theft and exploitation of the elderly for writing fraudulent checks and stealing more than $2,000 from a 73-year-old victim.

Detectives with the Panama City Police Department were contacted by the victim after she noticed money missing from her account. Through their investigation, detectives learned that James A. Spence, 50, had been living with and assisting the victim with daily activities. Spence did not have authority to obtain money from her bank account, but had written fraudulent checks out of her account to himself.

In addition his son, James Colten Spence, 28, was also charged with theft after writing a check to himself and cashing it.

James A. Spence was charged with exploitation of the elderly and theft from a person over the age of 65. James Colten Spence was charged with theft from a person over the age of 65. Both were booked into the Bay County Jail. In all, more than $2,000 was stolen from the victim.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call the Panama City Police Department at 850-872-3100, or they can report tips anonymously via smartphone by downloading the “Panama
City PD” Tip411 app from the iOS or Google Play stores.