'Tamale scammer' accused of stealing from elderly and disabled

DEER PARK, Texas (KTRK) -- A woman accused of scamming people by pretending to sell tamales has been arrested.

Deer Park police referred to Blanca Delarosa as the "tamale scammer.' They said she would tell people she was selling tamales for Grace Church in Houston and take the money from the elderly and disabled victims in Deer Park, La Porte, Pasadena and surrounding areas.

Deer Park police said Delarosa is also accused of going inside victims' homes and stealing jewelry.

Eyewitness News reporter Mayra Moreno spoke exclusively to a family who claims Delarosa stole more than $10,000 from her in December. She said she is angry and embarrassed.

"How dare her come to my house and do this to me?" Linda Davidson, 64, said.

Linda said she acted friendly as if she knew her.

Linda is battling cancer and suffers from memory loss, and she thought she knew Delarosa when she approached her about selling tamales. Linda said she gave her $20, then Delarosa asked to use the restroom in her home.

"When she came by here, she hit the jackpot," Linda's daughter, Sharon Davidson, said.

Sharon said Delarosa took irreplaceable jewelry.

"It's things she's had my whole life, and this woman takes it in five seconds," Sharon said.

Deer Park police said Delarosa had a strategy.

"She would drive around in neighborhoods and look for handicapped or disabled plates, and those were the victims she would target," police said.

Police are asking anyone who may have been targeted by Delarosa to file a police report.