Pennsylvania state police say they've arrested a Pittsburgh-area woman and charged her with fraud in a case involving an elderly Sewickley Township man.

Law enforcement officials say the Delmont woman been charged with "criminal trespass, theft by deception, access device fraud, resisting arrest, driving without a license and two counts of escape," according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

The 45-year-old is accused of defrauding an 89-year-old man of $2,139.

A police spokesperson said the woman answered a newspaper ad placed by the elderly man who was looking for someone to help him run errands, do shopping and take care of some personal chores around his home.

In an affidavit filed in West Newton District Court, a state trooper alleges that the woman took the man to a large shopping center in Hempfield. It was there that she purportedly purchased more than $2,000 worth of items for herself, using his credit cards.

She's also alleged to have stolen $50 in cash from the man during that trip.

The man said after the shopping trip, he was contacted by creditors informing him that his seldom-used credit cards had several large purchases against them. It was then, the man said, that he contacted law enforcement.

Police say the woman purchased a number of computer-related items.

While we certainly don't know the details of this case, in some similar cases, a person will buy gifts for another during the holiday season and then experience what's known as buyer's remorse.

The defendant in this case faces potentially harsh penalties if convicted, especially because, according to media reports, she has a prior conviction for theft on her record.

An experienced criminal defense attorney gets to the bottom of the details and facts of the case in which fraud or other charges have been alleged. In that way, the defendant's rights and interests are fully protected.

Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Senior looking for caregiver conned out of $2,139," Paul Pierce, Dec. 23, 2011