LAKEWOOD, Wash. – Timothy Baugh, a man known for preying on elderly individuals, has been arrested by Lakewood Police. He faces charges of first-degree theft of a vulnerable adult, first-degree theft, and failing to obtain a business license.
In court on Friday, Baugh pleaded not guilty to the charges that stem from a scheme in which he allegedly stole over $60,000 from a man suffering from dementia.
Baugh, 57, has a lengthy history of exploiting vulnerable people in Lakewood. Sgt. Paul Porch of the Lakewood Police Department, who has encountered Baugh previously, expressed concern over his ongoing criminal activities. “He’s pretty notorious for running scams targeting the elderly population. You cringe a little bit because you know what he’s up to,” Porch remarked.
Sgt. Porch, who has been with the department for nearly 20 years, emphasized the police department’s awareness of Baugh’s history. “When you hear his name, you know what it’s going to be about,” he stated.
Baugh was arrested on Thursday for the latest incident, which occurred in December when he approached a 101-year-old woman, offering to mow her lawn. After her 75-year-old partner agreed to the work, Baugh led them to an ATM, resulting in an initial withdrawal of $500 for tools and a truck. Over the next month, Baugh returned frequently, requesting more funds, which escalated to withdrawals of $8,000 and $9,000. Tragically, during this time, the elderly man’s partner passed away.
“You feel disgust for that,” Porch said, condemning Baugh’s reprehensible actions.
Baugh’s criminal history dates back to 1993, comprising 19 felonies, including theft and organized crime. His activities raised suspicion at the bank, prompting them to report the irregular transactions.
“It’s hundreds of thousands of dollars that he’s taken from our residents over the years,” Porch added.
Kathy Morgan, director of Adult Protective Services, voiced her concerns regarding the rampant scams targeting the elderly. “It’s really easy for any one of us to get scammed. The banks notice something unusual, and that’s what we need in the community: to keep an eye out,” she stated.
Morgan highlighted the vulnerabilities of elderly individuals who often seek personal connections and may be more trusting of those offering services. “It’s alarming because people are willing to pay for home repairs or yard work but end up being scammed,” she noted.
Following an investigation, Adult Protective Services confirmed that the victim, due to his dementia, had no recollection of the numerous transactions he made to Baugh. There were 14 trips to the bank totaling $68,900, with no yard work ever performed. Notably, Baugh had not held a valid business license for over five years.
“I would say he’s one of, if not the worst,” Porch remarked regarding Baugh’s repeated offenses. Despite previous convictions in 2018 and 2021, the exact number of victims during his time out of custody remains uncertain.
In court, Baugh maintained his innocence, asserting, “This is not a theft, first of all.” He is currently being held on $150,000 bail and is expected to return to court next week.
