In March 2025, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a series of thefts from residents of a senior living community in Buda. The various reports involved a variation of a common theme: a female in scrubs represented herself as a nurse or health attendant to various seniors at their homes, then distracted the victims with a health evaluation. After the unexpected visit, the victims discovered their wallets, along with the various identifying and financial documents within, were missing.
Some victims only became aware of the theft when their banks inquired about suspicious financial activity.
Detectives later identified two suspects: Gina Hernandez, 20, and Elsa Vasquez, 30, both of whom are from Austin. According to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Hernandez and Vasquez attempted to use the victims’ bank cards at Austin area restaurants and businesses to purchase televisions, smart watches, and other items.
The investigation also confirmed that Hernandez and Vasquez were not licensed nurses with the Texas Board of Nursing.
Hernandez and Vasquez are believed to have operated in the Central Texas region between Georgetown and Kyle, targeting elderly individuals; both had multiple outstanding warrants for similar offenses from area agencies.
Warrants were secured on Hernandez and Vasquez for the following:
- Credit/Debit Card Abuse of the Elderly, third-degree felony (12 counts each)
- Theft from an Elderly individual, third-degree felony (Hernandez: 3 counts; Vasquez 4 counts)
- Exploitation of the Elderly, third-degree felony (3 counts each)
- Impersonating a Nurse, class A misdemeanor (3 counts each)
On May 8, Hernandez and Vasquez were arrested by the Austin Police Department and booked into the Travis County Jail where the Hays County warrants were served. Hernandez remains in Travis County’s custody on a total bond of $214,000 for the charges filed by HCSO. Vasquez was released on a total bond of $22,000 for the charges filed by HCSO.
